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

Celebrities from Kim Kardashian to Chrissy Teigan to Ari Lennox have been spotted wearing bralettes as shirts, making this a perfectly acceptable garment to wear under a crochet dress. —Bianca Lambert, Glamour, 24 June 2025

Others in the comment section sided with Tallulah and argued that her photos of her father are acceptable. —Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 24 June 2025

European powers like the U.K., France, and Germany are still searching for a politically acceptable middle ground, but they're sidelined if Washington and Tel Aviv drive an uncompromising approach, Adamo added. —Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 June 2025

Priced at around $150, the FreeBuds 6 are premium earbuds with an acceptable price tag. —Ben Sin, Forbes.com, 18 June 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