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

Teams usually give veterans a chance to get into the lineup, but the roster crunch is here now, and risking waivers on Lazar is probably an acceptable risk. —Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025

Moderate — air quality is acceptable. —Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025

Next were brands with scores between 66 and 82, considered acceptable when on a mobile device or in certain regions. —Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2025

Mother thinks this is perfectly acceptable dining etiquette, especially since a finger bowl is usually not provided. —Judith Martin, Mercury News, 15 Oct. 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