acceptable

adjective

ac·cept·able ik-ˈsep-tə-bəl

ak-,

also ek-

Synonyms of acceptable next

: capable or worthy of being accepted

an acceptable noise level

socially acceptable behavior

a compromise that is acceptable to both sides

: welcome, pleasing

Compliments are always acceptable.

: 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

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 Portals to another universe are acceptable, on the condition that the universe in question is no larger than 4.5 x 5 x 6 inches. —

Hayley Tillett, The New Yorker, 24 Sep. 2023 The important thing is finding a good compromise, the acceptable sacrifice for both parties. —

Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 21 Sep. 2023 With that in mind, this grade of performance drop might be acceptable, but this isn't the Ally's primary function. —

PCMAG, 18 Sep. 2023 Expecting you to clean up the results of incontinence is neither reasonable nor acceptable. —

Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2023 The fact that Black boys are disproportionately restrained in the county is not acceptable, school board member Robyn Scates said. —

Thomas Goodwin Smith, Baltimore Sun, 12 Sep. 2023 The key, of course, is to give your cat a place to scratch that both of you find acceptable. —

Mary Jo Dilonardo, Treehugger, 10 Sep. 2023 Chelsea boots are becoming a bigger part of men's formalwear and are now an acceptable alternative to oxford shoes for weddings. —

Brad Lanphear, Men's Health, 8 Sep. 2023 Refined Carbohydrates White flour and sugars are acceptable in moderation, yet pervasive in the SAD (standard American diet). —

Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Sep. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'acceptable.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler

The first known use of acceptable was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century