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

Still, Bell says there is work to be done clearing certain spots downtown and, in some neighborhoods, making passable streets wider for residents and emergency vehicles. —Chris Hoffman, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026

Crews are working to keep priority routes passable for emergency responders and critical travel. —Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 26 Jan. 2026

On Sunday, skies were clearing by noon and roads remained passable, though officials advised caution to those venturing out. —Joe Kovac, AJC.com, 18 Jan. 2026

Mockovak was taken aback when his fellow soldiers complained that the French bartenders managed only passable English. —Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 11 Jan. 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