acceptable

American  

[ak-sep-tuh-buhl] / ækˈsɛp tə bəl /

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 British  

/ əkˈsɛptəbəl /

adjective

1. satisfactory; adequate

2. pleasing; welcome

3. tolerable

---

Other Word Forms

• acceptability noun
• acceptableness noun
• acceptably adverb
• unacceptability noun
• unacceptable adjective
• unacceptableness noun
• unacceptably adverb

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."

Example Sentences

Is it safe to sit down, even if the seat looks acceptable?

From Science Daily • Apr. 13, 2026

It spells out what behavior the company deems acceptable, and what it doesn’t.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 10, 2026

"For somebody to think it's acceptable to wedge poo bags into a Unesco World Heritage site, well actually it makes you quite sad," she adds.

From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026

But acceptable forms of ID include a drug prescription, a gym card and even a sample ballot sent to the registrant’s home.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

I was so fully aware that only serious moods and occupations were acceptable, that in his presence every effort to sustain or follow any other became vain: I fell under a freezing spell.

From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë

Related Words

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