acceptable

American  

[ak-sep-tuh-buhl] / ækˈsɛp tə bəl /

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.

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acceptable British  

/ əkˈsɛptəbəl /

adjective

1. satisfactory; adequate

2. pleasing; welcome

3. tolerable

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Other Word Forms

• acceptability noun
• acceptableness noun
• acceptably adverb
• unacceptability noun
• unacceptable adjective
• unacceptableness noun
• unacceptably adverb

Etymology

Origin of acceptable

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

Example Sentences

The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain player's defense counsel submitted a technical report stating that water quality in the region on the date of the alleged spill was within acceptable limits.

From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026

This kind of narrowing of the acceptable realm of conversation may have briefly led to a feeling that once marginalized groups were triumphing.

From Slate • Mar. 31, 2026

As this barbershop bystander made clear, for the first time, only a prediction of another championship would be acceptable.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 22, 2026

But some limits, especially of what’s acceptable, exist for good, sober reasons.

From Salon • Mar. 21, 2026

I was so fully aware that only serious moods and occupations were acceptable, that in his presence every effort to sustain or follow any other became vain: I fell under a freezing spell.

From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë

Related Words

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