acceptable

[ak-sep-tuh-buhl]

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

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of acceptable¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English word from Late Latin word acceptābilis. See accept, -able

Example Sentences

Afterward, McIlroy told reporters, “What happened here this week is not acceptable” and “I think golf should be held to a higher standard than than what was was seen out there this week.”

From Los Angeles Times

“This is about intimidation. This is about the singular hate of people who think different, of people who are different. And that’s not acceptable.”

From Salon

“We will be making sure to say to our fans in Ireland in 2027 that what happened here this week is not acceptable.”

From Los Angeles Times

"We will be making sure to say to our fans in Ireland in 2027 that what happened here this week is not acceptable."

From BBC

"We hope this time he feels able to bring to the table a more detailed offer of settlement that is tangible and acceptable."

From BBC

Related Words

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