satisfactory

American  

[sat-is-fak-tuh-ree, -fak-tree] / ˌsæt ɪsˈfæk tə ri, -ˈfæk tri /

adjective

1. giving or affording satisfaction; fulfilling all demands or requirements.

   a satisfactory solution.

   Synonyms:

   passable, suitable, adequate, competent

2. Theology. atoning or expiating.

---

satisfactory British  

/ ˌsætɪsˈfæktərɪ, -trɪ /

adjective

1. adequate or suitable; acceptable

   a satisfactory answer

2. giving satisfaction

3. 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

"In my view, it is not just or reasonable for him to pay a chartered flight when I have been given no satisfactory explanation for why that should be."

From BBC

And while President Masoud Pezeshkian has called for "restraint" and announced measures to try to address grievances, "the issue for us is the end of the regime, and nothing else is satisfactory", she said.

From Barron's

“My early books that are primarily in Latin used to be completely inaccessible, but you can take a photograph of them, put them into ChatGPT, and out comes a very satisfactory translation.”

From The Wall Street Journal

WMP was placed in special measures by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services in November 2023 for four points, including "failure to carry out effective investigations leading to satisfactory results for victims".

From BBC

"I am seeking assurance that processes have been strengthened to ensure any complaint that comes into Lambeth Palace is responded to in a timely and satisfactory manner."

From BBC

Related Words

• adequate
• decent
• fair
• good
• gratifying
• satisfying
• solid
• suitable
• tolerable
• valid