acceptable
Americanadjective
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capable or worthy of being accepted.
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pleasing to the receiver; satisfactory; agreeable; welcome.
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meeting only minimum requirements; barely adequate.
an acceptable performance.
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capable of being endured; tolerable; bearable.
acceptable levels of radiation.
adjective
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satisfactory; adequate
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pleasing; welcome
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tolerable
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of acceptable
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English word from Late Latin word acceptābilis. See accept, -able
Explanation
Something that is acceptable is satisfactory or proper for whatever purpose it is considered; it may not be all that’s hoped for, but it's at least adequate. A grade of “A” is best, but is a grade of "C" acceptable? It depends on whom you ask. The word acceptable means "able to accept," a word that comes from the Latin acceptare, which meant "to take willingly." Although the word acceptable suggests something that is fine, it sometimes suggests the least that would be sufficient, and can carry a somewhat negative connotation, as was the case when Franz Kafka wrote, "Start with what is right rather than what is acceptable."
Vocabulary lists containing acceptable
List 2
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Real Nice!
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Essential English Vocabulary, List 6
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Acceptable reasons for a refund include marriage, divorce or spousal death; work stoppage or reduction; loss of income-producing property, such as from a disaster; loss of pension income; or an employer settlement payment.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 23, 2026
Acceptable lead levels vary by state and the federal limit recently decreased from 400 ppm to 200 ppm because of increasing evidence that lead in any amount is harmful to humans.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2025
He also signed another order “Maintaining Acceptable Water Pressure in Showerheads,” which is probably a lot better.
From Slate • Apr. 12, 2025
Acceptable clauses are green, unacceptable clauses are red, and non-standard clauses are amber.
From BBC • Nov. 6, 2023
Acceptable indicates a thing to be worthy of acceptance; as, an acceptable offering.
From English Synonyms and Antonyms With Notes on the Correct Use of Prepositions by Fernald, James Champlin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
