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.

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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

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Other Word Forms

• passableness noun
• unpassable adjective

Etymology

Origin of passable

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

Example Sentences

The verses would be passable if not for the unremarkable “day in the life” lyrics.

From Salon

Excellent guitar, passable English, and charm had served him well enough in Tel Aviv.

From Literature

Euan Scott, from the firm's north west unit, said it was doing all it could to keep routes passable despite "very challenging weather conditions".

From BBC

Please do not assume a road will be passable just because it’s open.

From Los Angeles Times

Nuzzi-Lizza is just consequential enough to be passable in polite discussion without really mattering all that much.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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