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 of acceptable

• adequate
• satisfactory
• decent
• fine
• good
• OK

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 a letter to employees, Starbucks Chief Operating Officer Mike Grams said the locations targeted either aren’t delivering acceptable financial results or can’t provide the kind of experience that Starbucks wants for customers and employees. — Dee-Ann Durbin, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026

In a letter to employees, Starbucks Chief Operating Officer Mike Grams said the locations targeted either aren't delivering acceptable financial results or can't provide the kind of experience that Starbucks wants for customers and employees. — ABC News, 24 Sep. 2026

This gets captured in a separate document, linked to your acceptable use of AI policy. — Rob Black, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026

In the 2026 session, the Legislature passed HB 991, an elections bill that requires strict proof of citizenship to vote and reduces the types of photo ID acceptable at the polls. — Anne Gerwig, Sun Sentinel, 23 Sep. 2026

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