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Synonyms

passably

American  
[pas-uh-blee, pah-suh-] / ˈpæs ə bli, ˈpɑ sə- /

adverb

  1. fairly; moderately.

    a passably good novel.


passably British  
/ ˈpɑːsəblɪ /

adverb

  1. fairly; somewhat

  2. acceptably; well enough

    she sings passably

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of passably

First recorded in 1600–10; passable + -ly


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.

See Examples For:

It doesn’t solve everything, but mutual assured destruction worked passably well for 70 years to hold off nuclear Armageddon.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 19, 2026

Kelly has done an even starker about-face on one of her favorite topics these days: trans issues, on which she used to be passably sympathetic.

From Slate ● May 6, 2026

For about three quarters of the year, I make do with merely passably flavorful frozen berries that I deploy to chuck into smoothies and brighten up my oatmeal.

From Salon ● Jun. 4, 2023

For now, the evolving consensus among clergy is this: Yes, they can write a passably competent sermon.

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 15, 2023

Oriley did passably well, but Smith was barely making it.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand

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