passable

adjective

pass·​able ˈpa-sə-bəl 

1

a

: capable of being passed, crossed, or traveled on

passable roads

b

: capable of being freely circulated

2

: good enough : adequate

passably

ˈpa-sə-blē 

adverb

Synonyms of passable

• navigable

Examples of passable in a Sentence

The main road is passable but most others are still covered with snow.

The river is passable during the summer months.

He did a passable job with the assignment.

She plays passable golf but prefers tennis.

Recent Examples on the Web

Why struggle over sentences when a machine can absorb all the rules, never tire, and produce something passable, maybe even excellent, in seconds? —Jasna Hodžić, Big Think, 10 Mar. 2026

Plow drivers are working through the nor’easter to keep roads passable. —CBS News, 22 Feb. 2026

Amador County Public Works and Caltrans are working to get roads clear and streets passable. —Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado updated February 20, Sacbee.com, 21 Feb. 2026

Elordi is passable in his grungy younger iteration and ludicrous as the adult Heathcliff, back from his glow-up like a looksmaxxing skincare influencer wearing a cunty little earring. —Anna Gaca, Pitchfork, 20 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for passable

• impassable
• impassible
• irascible
• unsurpassable

Kids Definition

passable

adjective

pass·​able ˈpas-ə-bəl 

1

: capable of being passed, crossed, or traveled on

passable roads

2

: barely good enough : tolerable

a passable imitation

passably

-blē 

adverb