passable

adjective

pass·​able ˈpa-sə-bəl 

1

a

: capable of being passed, crossed, or traveled on

passable roads

b

: capable of being freely circulated

2

: good enough : adequate

passably

ˈpa-sə-blē 

adverb

Synonyms of passable

• navigable

Examples of passable in a Sentence

The main road is passable but most others are still covered with snow.

The river is passable during the summer months.

He did a passable job with the assignment.

She plays passable golf but prefers tennis.

Recent Examples on the Web

Your gut depends on consistent liquid intake to keep stools soft and passable. —Jillian Kubala, Health, 6 May 2026

Good creative work involves pushing boundaries, not simply coming up with something that’s passable and palatable. —Ahmed Elgammal, The Conversation, 27 Apr. 2026

Another passable addition to my Pretend Happy Hour routine. —Alex Beggs, Bon Appetit Magazine, 25 Apr. 2026

Crews worked to make roads passable by early Friday and were expected to continue cleanup efforts during the day. —CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for passable

• impassable
• impassible
• irascible
• unsurpassable

Kids Definition

passable

adjective

pass·​able ˈpas-ə-bəl 

1

: capable of being passed, crossed, or traveled on

passable roads

2

: barely good enough : tolerable

a passable imitation

passably

-blē 

adverb