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.

Example Sentences

The legislation would require two independent doctors and a judge to determine whether the person satisfies the criteria to take their own life - including expressing a clear wish to do so, free from coercion.

From BBC

In its summary, the commission said it was "largely satisfied with processes in place within departments to apply, consider and approve exception requests".

From BBC

Using his increasing clout to lift up artists striving to achieve their own creative dreams is far more satisfying.

From Los Angeles Times

According to Gallup, on the eve of the election in 1996, just 39 percent said they were satisfied with how things were going in the country, but Bill Clinton won reelection in a rout.

From Salon

Part 2, “Painter-God,” is the more satisfying, zeroing in on the experimentation that drove his unique art and engineering, which fantasized flying machines, weapons of war and designs for urban infrastructure.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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