acceptable
Americanadjective
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capable or worthy of being accepted.
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pleasing to the receiver; satisfactory; agreeable; welcome.
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meeting only minimum requirements; barely adequate.
an acceptable performance.
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capable of being endured; tolerable; bearable.
acceptable levels of radiation.
adjective
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satisfactory; adequate
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pleasing; welcome
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tolerable
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of acceptable
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English word from Late Latin word acceptābilis. See accept, -able
Explanation
Something that is acceptable is satisfactory or proper for whatever purpose it is considered; it may not be all that’s hoped for, but it's at least adequate. A grade of “A” is best, but is a grade of "C" acceptable? It depends on whom you ask. The word acceptable means "able to accept," a word that comes from the Latin acceptare, which meant "to take willingly." Although the word acceptable suggests something that is fine, it sometimes suggests the least that would be sufficient, and can carry a somewhat negative connotation, as was the case when Franz Kafka wrote, "Start with what is right rather than what is acceptable."
Vocabulary lists containing acceptable
List 2
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Real Nice!
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Essential English Vocabulary, List 6
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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.
Analysts have long warned any document acceptable to both Beijing and ASEAN's member states would lack teeth.
From Barron's ● Jul. 23, 2026
The Austrian government insisted that the permanent police presence would "clearly show" that no commemoration of Nazism would be acceptable and would "neutralise" the site.
From Barron's ● Jul. 22, 2026
"I don't think that maternity care was a particular issue in the Letby case. I think most of the babies I dealt with were born in acceptable condition."
From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026
As indeed it is, with one crisis after another implausibly resolved but acceptable in context.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 15, 2026
Mandela’s mother, Beatrice, wouldn’t allow him to grow his hair long; that wasn’t acceptable for young men in Africa, and she didn’t care what the American boys did.
From "Outcasts United: An American Town, a Refugee Team, and One Woman's Quest to Make a Difference" by Warren St. John
