acceptable
adj. · n.-
1 satisfactory or good enough (adj.) B1 Intermediategood enough for what you need, even if it is not perfect.
meeting a required standard; satisfactory or adequate for a given purpose.
ExampleThe hotel room was basic, but it was acceptable for a one-night stay.
ExampleWhile the initial draft required several minor revisions, the overall quality of the research was deemed acceptable by the review board.
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2 allowed or socially correct (adj.) B2 Upper Intermediateconsidered right or okay by most people or by the rules.
socially, legally, or ethically permissible within a specific context.
ExampleIt is no longer acceptable to smoke inside public buildings in this country.
ExampleThe committee debated whether such a casual tone was acceptable for a formal diplomatic correspondence.
- permissible
- allowable
- proper
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3 passable but not great (adj.) B2 Upper Intermediatejust okay; not bad, but not very good either.
barely worthy or less than excellent; describing something that is merely passable.
ExampleHis performance in the play was acceptable, but he didn't stand out.
ExampleThe student produced an acceptable translation, though it lacked the stylistic nuance required for a top grade.
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4 an accepted person or thing (n.) C2 Proficiency Formal Technicala person or thing that meets the requirements to be included.
a person or object categorized as meeting the criteria for acceptance.
ExampleThe list of candidates was divided into the acceptables and the rejects.
ExampleIn sociological studies of group dynamics, individuals are often coded as acceptables or outsiders based on their adherence to local norms.
UsageUsually used in the plural form when referring to people.
From Middle English acceptable, from Anglo-Norman and Middle French acceptable, from Late Latin acceptābilis (“worthy of acceptance”). Morphologically accept + -able.
- Nounacceptableness
- Adjectiveacceptable
- Adverbacceptably