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

"As far as we are aware, the main roads are currently passable but there is a lot of standing water so drivers should proceed with caution of they are to drive in the current conditions," it said.

From BBC

Mari Galloway, California program director for the Wildlands Network, a co-sponsor of both connectivity bills, said there was concern that a local government might allow development in an area where Caltrans invested taxpayer money to make it passable for animals.

From Los Angeles Times

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

Much has been made of the uninspired, algorithm-driven content that’s being pumped out by streaming services: You take a couple of big names, graft them onto a done-to-death storyline, give the scenes a modicum of flashiness, and most folks at home on their couch will accept it as a passable diversion.

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

Related Words

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