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

"So she's had people going out for her basically not being straight with people and that's not acceptable," he added.

From BBC

Mr May said he wrote an email to each staff member at the trust to explain that the comments are "not acceptable".

From BBC

"It seems to me that if common sense prevails, it will be possible to agree on an acceptable solution to end this conflict," Putin said.

From BBC

"Documentation and record keeping was poor and fell below an acceptable standard."

From BBC

"It's not acceptable to make excuses or try and rationalise it," the Alliance Party leader said.

From BBC

Related Words

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