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

The art of distressing denim is one that many jean companies have mastered—and even made more environmentally acceptable—since interest spiked in the mid-’70s amidst the rise of boho style. —Jane Herman, Vogue, 7 Apr. 2024

Nothing less than the full sentence under the law for his violent and senseless actions is acceptable. —Jade Thomas, The Indianapolis Star, 5 Apr. 2024

The Equal Opportunity Department declined to investigate the issue while the attorney general case is ongoing, but members of the union say this is not acceptable. —Kira Caspers, The Arizona Republic, 5 Apr. 2024

These days, creating a honeymoon fund and asking people to contribute is not only acceptable but embraced by guests. —Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 31 Mar. 2024

That document says the project is also dependent on funding from the team in an amount acceptable to the county. —Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 30 Mar. 2024

Bereavement isn't even an acceptable use of unpaid leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act. —Rachel Montañez, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024

If Kyiv were to destroy Russia’s wheat and fertilizer exports to damage the Russian economy, many would surely argue that such behavior was acceptable, even if many civilians outside the zone of conflict were harmed in the process. —Zach Helder, Foreign Affairs, 22 Mar. 2024

Laird, who was one of the paper’s authors, said districts need more detailed policies and better training for their teachers on how to handle AI, including what uses are acceptable and what’s off limits. —Silas Allen, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Mar. 2024

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

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