Word
passable
Phoneticspass·able
US/ˈpæsəbəɫ/
UK/pˈɑːsəbəl/
Definition
adj. good enough to be accepted, even if it is not perfect. You use this to describe something that meets a basic standard.
adj. satisfactory or adequate for a specific purpose, though not necessarily excellent. Often used to describe performance, quality, or appearance that meets a minimum threshold.
Examples
“The student's essay was passable, but it lacked depth.”
“The temporary bridge was only passable for small cars until the new one was finished next month.”
“While the translation was technically accurate, the prose felt passable at best, failing to capture the lyrical quality of the original text.”
Examples
simple
“The student's essay was passable, but it lacked depth.”
contextual
“The temporary bridge was only passable for small cars until the new one was finished next month.”
complex
“While the translation was technically accurate, the prose felt passable at best, failing to capture the lyrical quality of the original text.”
Real-World Examples
“Roads are passable only as far as Nuwakot, and some sections of highway linking Kathmandu to the hardest-hit areas remain completely blocked .” “In particular, this makes it possible to draw conclusions about how passable a road is under changing conditions—such as during extreme weather events.” Etymology
From French passable, equivalent to pass + -able.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/passable