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

Define where experimentation is acceptable, where human review is mandatory and where AI use is inappropriate, and remember that your personal AI habits will become part of the organization’s unwritten AI policy. — Duane Tursi, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2026

There’s no way to know whether the safeguards mentioned in the Astra system card are what the legally-binding policy would require at Astra’s risk level, or whether OpenAI has made a formal determination that the residual risk is acceptable. — Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2026

Make sure the choices are limited, specific, and acceptable to you. — Cynthia Hanson, Parents, 13 Sep. 2026

The facility’s employees did not demonstrate acceptable food safety knowledge on proper warewashing, equipment use and proper food storage. — Sacbee.com, 11 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