acceptable

[ ak-sep-tuh-buhl ]

adjective

1. capable or worthy of being accepted.
2. pleasing to the receiver; satisfactory; agreeable; welcome.
3. meeting only minimum requirements; barely adequate:

   an acceptable performance.

4. capable of being endured; tolerable; bearable:

   acceptable levels of radiation.

acceptable

/ əkˈsɛptəbəl /

adjective

1. satisfactory; adequate
2. pleasing; welcome
3. tolerable

Derived Forms

• acˈceptably, adverb
• acˌceptaˈbility, noun

Other Words From

• ac·cepta·bili·ty ac·cepta·ble·ness noun
• ac·cepta·bly adverb
• unac·cepta·bili·ty noun
• unac·cepta·ble adjective
• unac·cepta·ble·ness noun
• unac·cepta·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of acceptable¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English word from Late Latin word acceptābilis. See accept, -able

Example Sentences

The sympathizers, who are to all appearances still innocuous fellow-citizens in a nontotalitarian society, can hardly be called single-minded fanatics; through them, the movements make their fantastic lies more generally acceptable, can spread their propaganda in milder, more respectable forms, until the whole atmosphere is poisoned with totalitarian elements which are hardly recognizable as such but appear to be normal political reactions or opinions.

From Salon

The trade-off between the risks and benefits of being tested is “very nuanced, very personal”, Prof Ahmed says, and what is acceptable to one man will be unacceptable to another.

From BBC

It adds that trade unions have already indicated that would not be an acceptable award.

From BBC

It doesn’t just impact your political decisions, such as Caitlyn deeming a potential child casualty as an acceptable sacrifice for her agenda.

From Salon

Ms Oates said there needed to be a "strong deterrent" for businesses that did not train staff properly, adding that "it's just not acceptable that people would go to a venue expecting to get help and not get the help that they need".

From BBC

Related Words

• adequate
• common
• decent
• fair
• respectable
• sufficient
• tolerable