passable
Americanadjective
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capable of being passed through, beyond, or over; fit to be traversed, penetrated, crossed, etc., as a road, forest, or stream.
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adequate; acceptable.
a passable knowledge of French.
- Synonyms:
- fair, tolerable, allowable, respectable, presentable
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capable of being circulated legally or having a valid currency, as a coin.
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capable of being or liable to be ratified or enacted.
passable legislation.
adjective
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adequate, fair, or acceptable
a passable speech
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(of an obstacle) capable of being passed or crossed
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(of currency) valid for general circulation
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(of a proposed law) able to be ratified or enacted
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of passable
1375–1425; late Middle English < Middle French; see pass, -able
Explanation
Something you can physically cross is passable. A passable trail through the woods isn't blocked by obstacles like fallen trees or flooded streams. After a hurricane, the roads you normally travel may not be passable because of dangling power lines or tree branches. This definition dates from the fifteenth century, literally meaning "able to be passed" or "able to be crossed." A later meaning of passable is "acceptable." You can use this word to describe things that aren't wonderful, but are good enough: "It's not the moistest cake I've ever tasted, but it's passable."
Vocabulary lists containing passable
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.
Passable versions of items on Goop’s holiday collection can be attained at a normal shop for normal people near you.
From Salon • Nov. 4, 2023
In the interview, Mike talks to actor Rhea Seehorn and creator Mike Sacks about their new Audible original Passable in Pink, a satire of John Hughes films.
From Slate • Dec. 20, 2019
They discuss their shared love of Hughes’ movies, how films like 16 Candles have held up in 2019, and the behind-the-scenes audio wizardry that made Passable in Pink come to life.
From Slate • Dec. 20, 2019
What it really is: Passable, minimalistic Vietnam war drama starring a cast of enthusiastic unknowns.
From The Guardian • Oct. 28, 2016
Passable portraits of William and Mary, Queen Anne, Lord Chief-Justice Coke, and Sir Thomas Littleton look upon the visitor, and the arms of the successive treasurers of the Inn are blazoned on the walls.
From Lippincott's Magazine Of Popular Literature And Science Old Series, Vol. 36—New Series, Vol. 10, July 1885 by Various
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.
