satisfactory

adjective

sat·​is·​fac·​to·​ry ˌsa-təs-ˈfak-t(ə-)rē 

: giving satisfaction : adequate

a satisfactory performance

satisfactorily

ˌsa-təs-ˈfak-t(ə-)rə-lē 

adverb

satisfactoriness noun

Synonyms

• okay
• fine
• OK
• alright

Examples of satisfactory in a Sentence

The job requires a satisfactory level of performance.

Results are less satisfactory than had been anticipated.

He gave a satisfactory account of how the accident had happened.

The movie was brought to a satisfactory close.

His work has been satisfactory, but not outstanding.

Recent Examples on the Web

On a scale of one to five, an average or satisfactory experience is a three. —Shep Hyken, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025

Of those, six — including five children — are in satisfactory condition. —Nbc News, NBC news, 29 Aug. 2025

The mic did a satisfactory job handling some background noise, though, effectively neutralizing it enough to keep my voice clear. —Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 25 Aug. 2025

While stacking levels of self-monitoring might be enough for a satisfactory jet bridge, this isn’t how humans handle complexity. —Anil Seth, Big Think, 20 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

satisfactory

adjective

sat·​is·​fac·​to·​ry ˌsat-əs-ˈfak-t(ə-)rē 

: giving satisfaction

satisfactorily

-t(ə-)rə-lē 

adverb

satisfactoriness

-t(ə-)rē-nəs

noun