acceptable
[ak-sep-tuh-buh l]
- 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.
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Origin of acceptable
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
fairdecentsufficientrespectablecommonadequatetolerableadmissibleaveragebigcooldelightfulhipkosherlargeokaypassablepleasantpleasingstandardExamples from the Web for acceptable
Contemporary Examples
The most notorious states are Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, where death is an acceptable legal remedy.
Yet according to Hamilton, “it was quickly apparent that other than pecuniary consolation would be acceptable.”
How could anyone think that their dislike of the Bee Gees made anything about Disco Demolition Night acceptable?
Because that conceit was straight/gay vs straight/straight, I could do a lot of overtly straight humor and it would be acceptable.
Oscars Host Neil Patrick Harris on His Best and Worst Emcee Moments (VIDEO)Neil Patrick Harris
October 15, 2014
After all that, the party can go to market with a product that is acceptable to the masses.
Historical Examples
He took everything that came to him as in itself right and acceptable.
Weighed and WantingGeorge MacDonald
The ladies are not the only greenbacks that are accepted at sight; and acceptable to it.
The kind of renown most accessible and acceptable to mediocrity.
The Devil's DictionaryAmbrose Bierce
Tell me, Mr Dorrit, what surprise would be the most unlooked for and the most acceptable to you.
Little DorritCharles Dickens
They were acceptable to me, because they echoed my own mind, and confirmed my own knowledge.
Little DorritCharles Dickens
acceptable
- satisfactory; adequate
- pleasing; welcome
- tolerable
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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
Word Origin and History for acceptable
adj.
late 14c., from Old French acceptable, from Latin acceptabilis "worthy of acceptance," from acceptare (see accept). Related: Acceptably.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper