satisfy

[ sat-is-fahy ]

verb (used with object)

, sat·is·fied, sat·is·fy·ing.

1. to fulfill the desires, expectations, needs, or demands of (a person, the mind, etc.); give full contentment to:

   The hearty meal satisfied him.

   Synonyms: please, pacify, appease, gratify

2. to put an end to (a desire, want, need, etc.) by sufficient or ample provision:

   The hearty meal satisfied his hunger.

3. to give assurance to; convince:

   to satisfy oneself by investigation.

   Synonyms: persuade

4. to answer sufficiently, as an objection.
5. to solve or dispel, as a doubt.
6. to discharge fully (a debt, obligation, etc.).
7. to make reparation to or for:

   to satisfy an offended person; to satisfy a wrong.

8. to pay (a creditor).
9. Mathematics.
   1. to fulfill the requirements or conditions of:

      to satisfy a theorem.

   2. (of a value of an unknown) to change (an equation) into an identity when substituted for the unknown: x = 2 satisfies 3 x = 6.

verb (used without object)

, sat·is·fied, sat·is·fy·ing.

1. to give satisfaction.

satisfy

/ ˈsætɪsˌfaɪ /

verb

1. also intr to fulfil the desires or needs of (a person)
2. to provide amply for (a need or desire)
3. to relieve of doubt; convince
4. to dispel (a doubt)
5. to make reparation to or for
6. to discharge or pay off (a debt) to (a creditor)
7. to fulfil the requirements of; comply with

   you must satisfy the terms of your lease

8. maths logic to fulfil the conditions of (a theorem, assumption, etc); to yield a truth by substitution of the given value

   x = 3 satisfies x² – 4x + 3 = 0

Derived Forms

• ˈsatisˌfiable, adjective
• ˈsatisˌfier, noun
• ˈsatisˌfyingly, adverb
• ˈsatisˌfying, adjective

Other Words From

• satis·fia·ble adjective
• satis·fier noun
• satis·fying·ly adverb
• satis·fying·ness noun
• non·satis·fying adjective
• outsatis·fy verb (used with object) outsatisfied outsatisfying
• pre·satis·fy verb (used with object) presatisfied presatisfying
• super·satis·fy verb (used with object) supersatisfied supersatisfying
• un·satis·fia·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of satisfy¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English satisfien, from Middle French satisfier, from unattested Vulgar Latin satisficāre (for Latin satisfacere “to do enough”; satisfaction ); -fy

Word History and Origins

Origin of satisfy¹

C15: from Old French satisfier, from Latin satisfacere, from satis enough + facere to make, do

Synonym Study

Satisfy, content refer to meeting one's desires or wishes. To satisfy is to meet to the full one's wants, expectations, etc.: to satisfy a desire to travel. To content is to give enough to keep one from being disposed to find fault or complain: to content oneself with a moderate meal.

Related Words

• amuse
• appease
• assuage
• delight
• elate
• entertain
• fascinate
• flatter
• gratify
• mollify
• placate