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Synonyms

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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

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.

"Terrible. We've come here to get something from the game and got nothing, so as a club that's fighting for survival it's not acceptable," he said.

From Barron's

Doctors have today clearly said that is not acceptable.

From BBC

The US president said he hoped negotiations would lead to something "acceptable".

From BBC

France has said it will impose stricter limits on the acceptable level of a toxin called cereulide in infant formula after potentially contaminated products were recalled in over 60 countries.

From Barron's

Others are questioning whether such fines are acceptable without collective bargaining agreements.

From MarketWatch