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

In his June ruling, Judge Alsup agreed with Anthropic's argument, stating the company's use of books by the plaintiffs to train their AI model was acceptable. —Chloe Veltman, NPR, 5 Sep. 2025

Reconciliation was acceptable only on the white South’s terms. —Time, 5 Sep. 2025

That the lives of children are not acceptable collateral damage in an ideological campaign. —CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2025

If a voter cannot present a photo ID, the voter votes on a provisional ballot and must return within two days to show an acceptable form of ID. —Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 4 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