satisfactory

[sat-is-fak-tuh-ree, -fak-tree]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR satisfactory ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

giving or affording satisfaction; fulfilling all demands or requirements: a satisfactory solution.

Theology. atoning or expiating.

Origin of satisfactory

1520–30; < Medieval Latin satisfactōrius, equivalent to Latin satisfac(ere) to do enough + -tōrius -tory¹

Related formssat·is·fac·to·ri·ly, adverbsat·is·fac·to·ri·ness, nounpre·sat·is·fac·to·ry, adjective

Synonyms for satisfactory

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR satisfactory ON THESAURUS.COM

1. competent, adequate, suitable, passable.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for satisfactory

satisfying, fair, solid, decent, gratifying, good, valid, adequate, suitable, tolerable, ample, average, cogent, comfortable, competent, cool, enough, groovy, passable, peachy

Examples from the Web for satisfactory

Contemporary Examples of satisfactory

There are several independent research programs but the origin of life does not have a satisfactory explanation at present.
How Liberty University Creates Creationists
Karl W. Giberson
March 2, 2014
Some insurers are limiting it to patients who have tried the older drugs, but failed to get satisfactory results.
There’s a Life Saving New Drug. But You Can’t Afford It.
Kaiser Health News
February 28, 2014
Many have experienced phenomena that, however creepy, admit a satisfactory explanation.
A Night with The Conjuring’s Ed & Lorraine Warren
Stefan Beck
August 18, 2013
There should be no provisional status until we have locked down our borders and implemented E-Verify in a satisfactory manner.
On Immigration, Praise for the Tea Party
Justin Green
May 8, 2013
We never got a satisfactory response from anyone at the embassy or in the State Department.
Abandoned Ship: New Book Details Honeymooners’ Costa Concordia Nightmare
Barbie Latza Nadeau
January 10, 2013

Historical Examples of satisfactory

Here too experience has afforded us the most satisfactory proof in its favor.
United States Presidents' Inaugural Speeches
Various
We do not understand them at all, but they are highly soothing and satisfactory.
Punchinello, Vol. 1, No. 7, May 14, 1870
Various
(a) What are the requirements for satisfactory types of jars?
Woman's Institute Library of Cookery, Vol. 5
Woman's Institute of Domestic Arts and Sciences
Cheap jars are likely to be seconds and will not prove so satisfactory.
Woman's Institute Library of Cookery, Vol. 5
Woman's Institute of Domestic Arts and Sciences
Kingozi, watching her closely, seemed to see in this only a satisfactory symptom.
The Leopard Woman
Stewart Edward White

British Dictionary definitions for satisfactory

satisfactory

adjective

adequate or suitable; acceptablea satisfactory answer

giving satisfaction

constituting or involving atonement, recompense, or expiation for sin

Derived Formssatisfactorily, adverbsatisfactoriness, noun

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

Word Origin and History for satisfactory

adj.

mid-15c., "capable of atoning for sin," from Middle French satisfactoire (14c.) and directly from Late Latin satisfactorius, from Latin satisfactus, past participle of satisfacere (see satisfy). Meaning "adequate" is from 1630s. Related: Satisfactorily; satisfactoriness.