adjective
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adequate or suitable; acceptable
a satisfactory answer
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giving satisfaction
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constituting or involving atonement, recompense, or expiation for sin
Other Word Forms
- presatisfactory adjective
- satisfactorily adverb
- satisfactoriness noun
Etymology
Origin of satisfactory
First recorded in 1520–30; from Medieval Latin satisfactōrius, from Latin satisfac(ere) “to do enough” ( satisfaction ( def. ) ) + -tōrius -tory 1
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.
If the United States wins the WBC championship Tuesday, when no outcome besides victory would have been satisfactory, the team will explode in celebration.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 17, 2026
“There can be language, communication, and other barriers that make it difficult, if not impossible, for consumers to get a satisfactory resolution to their problem.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 5, 2026
The Warwickshire force, however, concluded in July 2025 that its officers' conduct had been "satisfactory" but that it had "highlighted some organisational learning".
From BBC • Feb. 11, 2026
So if Pirro “gets some answers and the answers are satisfactory, then we can move on,” Bessent said.
From Barron's • Jan. 17, 2026
We offered to hold him on—reasonable doubt, previous work satisfactory, and all that—in a subordinate position, of course—had to do that much—mistakes can’t go unnoticed—bad for discipline—Where was I?”
From "I, Robot" by Isaac Asimov
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.
