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

Three of those seven takeovers, all of which have happened since 2015, were for failure to meet acceptable academic ratings. —Keri Heath, Austin American Statesman, 4 Jan. 2026

About an hour after the 2024 season concluded, Ross released a statement saying Grier and McDaniel were returning in 2025 but that the status quo wasn’t acceptable. —David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 3 Jan. 2026

Brown acknowledged the ebb and flow of an 82-game season but made clear this slide isn’t acceptable. —Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 3 Jan. 2026

Zelenskyy on Tuesday announced plans for meetings with officials from about 30 countries, dubbed the Coalition of the Willing, which support Kyiv’s effort to end the war with Russia on acceptable terms. —Volodymyr Yurchuk, Chicago Tribune, 3 Jan. 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