acceptance
Americannoun
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the act of taking or receiving something offered.
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favorable reception; approval; favor.
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the act of assenting or believing.
acceptance of a theory.
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the fact or state of being accepted or acceptable.
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Commerce.
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an engagement to pay an order, draft, or bill of exchange when it becomes due, as by the person on whom it is drawn.
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an order, draft, etc., that a person or bank has accepted as calling for payment and has thus promised to pay.
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noun
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the act of accepting or the state of being accepted or acceptable
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favourable reception; approval
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(often foll by of) belief (in) or assent (to)
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commerce
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a formal agreement by a debtor to pay a draft, bill, etc
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the document so accepted Compare bank acceptance
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(plural) a list of horses accepted as starters in a race
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contract law words or conduct by which a person signifies his assent to the terms and conditions of an offer or agreement
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of acceptance
Explanation
Acceptance is taking something given to you. You might be relieved by your friend's acceptance of your apology for accidentally riding your bike over his foot. An acceptance of someone or something is also an indication that you approve of or believe in it (or them). If you dye your hair green and wear a suit made of bear fur, gaining your grandmother’s acceptance may prove difficult if she's a conservative dresser and an animal lover. In legal terms acceptance is language signifying consent to the terms of an offer, leading to the creation of a contract.
Vocabulary lists containing acceptance
Florida's B.E.S.T. Common Suffixes: -ance, -ence
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Althea Gibson Article and "Roberto Clemente’s Gifts from the Heart"
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"CLEP Principles of Management," Vocabulary from Chapter 3
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The most direct reading of this makes “The Sheep Detectives” a parable about denial and eventual acceptance following a great personal loss.
From Salon • May 17, 2026
Although Alonso, who enjoyed a distinguished playing career and led Bayer Leverkusen to league and cup success in Germany, is an exciting appointment for supporters, there is also an acceptance he faces a difficult task.
From BBC • May 16, 2026
“This was what was so hard to say no to—the pure acceptance and love from setting foot onstage in front of these people.”
From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026
Sporting black sunglasses and a trademark beanie, the 27-year-old identifies as a queer artist, highlighting the need for expression and acceptance throughout his music.
From Barron's • May 15, 2026
Gone was the bland acceptance of people minding their own business, replaced by a visible, angry resentment that became gossip, and taunts and name-calling in the school yard.
From "When I Was Puerto Rican" by Esmeralda Santiago
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
