acceptable
Americanadjective
-
capable or worthy of being accepted.
-
pleasing to the receiver; satisfactory; agreeable; welcome.
-
meeting only minimum requirements; barely adequate.
an acceptable performance.
-
capable of being endured; tolerable; bearable.
acceptable levels of radiation.
adjective
-
satisfactory; adequate
-
pleasing; welcome
-
tolerable
Other Word 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
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Real Nice!
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Essential English Vocabulary, List 6
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
A good number of those who risked death to reach Ceuta "are in relatively acceptable socio-economic situations", he told AFP.
From Barron's ● Aug. 15, 2026
What’s changed, Pardilla said, is how visible and socially acceptable those choices have become.
From Salon ● Aug. 15, 2026
Tehran is doing just that, shifting its stance and shrinking the list of acceptable terms, befuddling American mediators in Geneva, Islamabad and Muscat.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026
"Nothing about Betsi Cadwaladr's performance is acceptable," he said.
From BBC ● Aug. 10, 2026
“Are raw oysters more acceptable to you than a dish of boiled dog? Evidently not.”
From "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" by Philip K. Dick
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.
