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

The city’s financial situation remains precarious, its crime problems still felt acutely, and its public schools are still struggling to produce acceptable student outcomes. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2026

While the majority of FHA borrowers have credit scores of 600 or higher, a score of 580 is acceptable for a low-down-payment FHA mortgage. —Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 4 June 2026

But even one cockroach isn’t acceptable indoors. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 4 June 2026

Here, the drive experience is rather anodyne, albeit entirely acceptable for a daily driver. —Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 4 June 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