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
• satisfactory
• decent
• okay
• fine
• good

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

To navigate emotional volatility, understand what behaviors are acceptable to you and create clear boundaries with the ones that are not. —Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025

Fortune reported in January that a substantial share of young people believe violence may be an acceptable form of change under certain circumstances. —Ashley Lutz, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2025

Both produce acceptable recordings for my needs. —Jan Wagner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Sep. 2025

The nation needs an arrest, an exposure of the motive and a unified voice that this is never, ever acceptable. —Editorial, Boston Herald, 12 Sep. 2025

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

Rhymes for acceptable

• imperceptible
• unacceptable
• perceptible
• susceptible

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