acceptable

adjective

ac·​cept·​able ik-ˈsep-tə-bəl 

ak-,

 also  ek-

1

: capable or worthy of being accepted

an acceptable noise level

socially acceptable behavior

a compromise that is acceptable to both sides

2

a

: welcome, pleasing

Compliments are always acceptable.

b

: barely satisfactory or adequate

The performances varied from excellent to acceptable.

acceptability

ik-ˌsep-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

(ˌ)ak-

ek-

noun

acceptableness

ik-ˈsep-tə-bəl-nəs 

ak-

noun

acceptably

ik-ˈsep-tə-blē 

ak-

 also  ek-

adverb

Synonyms

• adequate
• all right
• decent
• fairish
• fine
• good
• OK
• okay
• passable
• respectable
• satisfactory
• serviceable
• tolerable

Examples of acceptable in a Sentence

acceptable and unacceptable noise levels

It was an acceptable performance, although not an outstanding one.

She plays an acceptable game of tennis.

Recent Examples on the Web

What constitutes minimal acceptable public company governance? —Noah Barsky, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024

In response, Congress passed the Real ID Act in 2005, which set new standards for issuing drivers licenses that would be acceptable forms of identification to pass through airport security or enter federal buildings. —Michael Salerno, The Arizona Republic, 21 Oct. 2024

Towing capacity is 5,000 pounds, an acceptable tally but again, not as much as the segment’s top-sellers. —James Raia, The Mercury News, 20 Oct. 2024

Wyoming voters that wish to register in person can visit their county clerk’s website to find a list of acceptable registration websites. —Staff, USA TODAY, 19 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Late Latin acceptābilis, from Latin acceptāre "to accept" + -bilis "capable of (being acted upon)" — more at -able

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

acceptable

adjective

ac·​cept·​able ik-ˈsep-tə-bəl 

ak-

1

: capable or worthy of being accepted : satisfactory

an acceptable excuse

2

: barely good enough

plays an acceptable game

acceptability

ik-ˌsep-tə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

ak-

noun

acceptably

ik-ˈsep-tə-blē 

ak-

adverb