satisfactory

American  

[sat-is-fak-tuh-ree, -fak-tree] / ˌsæt ɪsˈfæk tə ri, -ˈfæk tri /

adjective

1. giving or affording satisfaction; fulfilling all demands or requirements.

   a satisfactory solution.

   Synonyms:

   passable, suitable, adequate, competent

2. Theology. atoning or expiating.

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satisfactory British  

/ ˌsætɪsˈfæktərɪ, -trɪ /

adjective

1. adequate or suitable; acceptable

   a satisfactory answer

2. giving satisfaction

3. constituting or involving atonement, recompense, or expiation for sin

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Other Word Forms

• presatisfactory adjective
• satisfactorily adverb
• satisfactoriness noun

Etymology

Origin of satisfactory

First recorded in 1520–30; from Medieval Latin satisfactōrius, from Latin satisfac(ere) “to do enough” ( satisfaction ( def. ) ) + -tōrius -tory ¹

Example Sentences

Sheriff Fraser concluded the system for checking food was being served to the correct person was not satisfactory.

From BBC

“The bank remains well-capitalized and the financial position of the bank remains satisfactory with sufficient liquidity.”

From The Wall Street Journal

If the United States wins the WBC championship Tuesday, when no outcome besides victory would have been satisfactory, the team will explode in celebration.

From Los Angeles Times

If the matchmaker hasn’t found a satisfactory arrangement for Ruby, I’ve met a widowed merchant who needs a wife to help his parents in a village outside Guangdong.

From Literature

The report from those visits, which the BBC has seen, said the facilities were "satisfactory" and a cold room with a capacity for four people was used on site.

From BBC

Related Words

• adequate
• decent
• fair
• good
• gratifying
• satisfying
• solid
• suitable
• tolerable
• valid