satisfy

[sat-is-fahy]

verb (used with object)

satisfied, satisfying 

1. to fulfill the desires, expectations, needs, or demands of (a person, the mind, etc.); give full contentment to.

   The hearty meal satisfied him.

   Synonyms: please, pacify, appease, gratify

2. to put an end to (a desire, want, need, etc.) by sufficient or ample provision.

   The hearty meal satisfied his hunger.

3. to give assurance to; convince.

   to satisfy oneself by investigation.

   Synonyms: persuade

4. to answer sufficiently, as an objection.

5. to solve or dispel, as a doubt.

6. to discharge fully (a debt, obligation, etc.).

7. to make reparation to or for.

   to satisfy an offended person; to satisfy a wrong.

8. to pay (a creditor).

9. Mathematics.

   1. to fulfill the requirements or conditions of.

      to satisfy a theorem.

   2. (of a value of an unknown) to change (an equation) into an identity when substituted for the unknown: x = 2 satisfies 3 x = 6.

verb (used without object)

satisfied, satisfying 

1. to give satisfaction.

satisfy

/ ˈsætɪsˌfaɪ /

verb

1. (also intr) to fulfil the desires or needs of (a person)

2. to provide amply for (a need or desire)

3. to relieve of doubt; convince

4. to dispel (a doubt)

5. to make reparation to or for

6. to discharge or pay off (a debt) to (a creditor)

7. to fulfil the requirements of; comply with

   you must satisfy the terms of your lease

8. maths logic to fulfil the conditions of (a theorem, assumption, etc); to yield a truth by substitution of the given value

   x = 3 satisfies x² – 4x + 3 = 0

Other Word Forms

• satisfiable adjective
• satisfier noun
• satisfyingly adverb
• satisfyingness noun
• nonsatisfying adjective
• outsatisfy verb (used with object)
• presatisfy verb (used with object)
• supersatisfy verb (used with object)
• unsatisfiable adjective
• satisfying adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of satisfy¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English satisfien, from Middle French satisfier, from unattested Vulgar Latin satisficāre (for Latin satisfacere “to do enough”; satisfaction ); -fy

Word History and Origins

Origin of satisfy¹

C15: from Old French satisfier, from Latin satisfacere, from satis enough + facere to make, do

Synonym Study

Satisfy, content refer to meeting one's desires or wishes. To satisfy is to meet to the full one's wants, expectations, etc.: to satisfy a desire to travel. To content is to give enough to keep one from being disposed to find fault or complain: to content oneself with a moderate meal.

Example Sentences

“I’m definitely not satisfied with what we’ve done, but happy with where we are.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

I was lucky, it seems, to have satisfied my quest with a phone call.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“I’m not sure it will completely satisfy the public disquiet but it’s at least something,” Andrew Lownie, the historian and author of “Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York,” told the BBC.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Jacobs also explained why the military has not attempted to detain or prosecute survivors, “because they could not satisfy the evidentiary burden.”

Read more on Salon

“Are you satisfied with our work?” said the crew leader.

Read more on Literature

Related Words

• amuse 
• appease 
• assuage 
• delight 
• elate 
• entertain 
• fascinate 
• flatter 
• gratify 
• mollify 
• placate