passable

American  

[pas-uh-buhl, pah-suh-] / ˈpæs ə bəl, ˈpɑ sə- /

adjective

1. capable of being passed passed through, beyond, or over; fit to be traversed, penetrated, crossed, etc., as a road, forest, or stream.

2. adequate; acceptable.

   a passable knowledge of French.

   Synonyms:

   fair, tolerable, allowable, respectable, presentable

3. capable of being circulated legally or having a valid currency, as a coin.

4. capable of being or liable to be ratified or enacted.

   passable legislation.

---

passable British  

/ ˈpɑːsəbəl /

adjective

1. adequate, fair, or acceptable

   a passable speech

2. (of an obstacle) capable of being passed or crossed

3. (of currency) valid for general circulation

4. (of a proposed law) able to be ratified or enacted

---

Other Word Forms

• passableness noun
• unpassable adjective

Etymology

Origin of passable

1375–1425; late Middle English < Middle French; pass, -able

Example Sentences

There are some communities, particularly in the mountains, where roads aren’t passable in the winter even in a four-wheel-drive pickup, Norton said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 22, 2026

Brantley Gilbert, Gabby Barrett and Lee Brice all turned in adequate country sets that would be perfectly passable as live entertainment at your local barbecue joint.

From Salon • Feb. 9, 2026

When anyone can draft a passable paragraph or storyboard an idea, exceptional talent becomes more apparent than ever.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 10, 2025

When the only possible means of survival for a minority government is to build bridges on left and right, Bayrou has the advantage of having passable relations with both sides.

From BBC • Dec. 13, 2024

Ron called back, in a passable imitation of Wormtail’s wheezy voice.

From "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J.K. Rowling

Related Words

• adequate
• mediocre
• presentable
• respectable
• so-so
• tolerable