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

Much more than a simple exploration of queerness at a time when lesbians relationships were not socially acceptable, the film is also an extended essay about desire and longing. —Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 25 Sep. 2025

Scrambled to a marginally acceptable 10-6 straght-up, but two games under against the spread will never be OK. —Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2025

YouTube has offered to compensate NBCU for the integration, but not as yet at an acceptable level to the media company. —Dade Hayes, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2025

Legal experts note that autopen use is acceptable so long as the president directs it, but Trump insists its deployment in Biden’s final days undermines the validity of those actions. —Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 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