passable

[ pas-uh-buhl, pah-suh- ]

adjective

1. capable of being passed passed through, beyond, or over; fit to be traversed, penetrated, crossed, etc., as a road, forest, or stream.
2. adequate; acceptable:

   a passable knowledge of French.

   Synonyms: fair, tolerable, allowable, respectable, presentable

3. capable of being circulated legally or having a valid currency, as a coin.
4. capable of being or liable to be ratified or enacted:

   passable legislation.

passable

/ ˈpɑːsəbəl /

adjective

1. adequate, fair, or acceptable

   a passable speech

2. (of an obstacle) capable of being passed or crossed
3. (of currency) valid for general circulation
4. (of a proposed law) able to be ratified or enacted

Derived Forms

• ˈpassableness, noun

Other Words From

• passa·ble·ness noun
• un·passa·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of passable¹

1375–1425; late Middle English < Middle French; pass, -able

Example Sentences

The worker told Mortensen that “the road is not passable, and if he attempted to cross he will probably die,” according to Perez.

From Los Angeles Times

Ludovico says he isn’t trying to stop people from using the wash, but insists the road be passable and roadblocks stopped.

From Los Angeles Times

After the Germany game the group got together, had a few drinks, chilled out, did some karaoke, where he gave by all accounts a passable rendition of a Julio Iglesias hit.

From BBC

After a producer greenlights an underbaked movie idea of Lee’s, the brothers attempt to write a passable script, only to dance a pas de doom.

From New York Times

She has a heavy hand for pastry, but she bakes a passable corn bread.

From Literature

Related Words

• adequate
• mediocre
• presentable
• respectable
• so-so
• tolerable