ENGLISH
REFERENCE

satisfactory

adj.
US //ˌsætəsˈfæktɹi// UK //sˌætɪsfˈæktəɹˌi// sat·is·fac·to·ry
  1. 1 good enough (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    good enough to meet a need or a rule, but not necessarily great.

    meeting requirements or expectations to an adequate degree. Often used in formal assessments to indicate a pass that is not high-level.

    Example

    The teacher said my essay was satisfactory, but I need to work on my spelling.

    Example

    The inspector found the safety measures to be satisfactory, though he suggested several minor improvements for the next quarter.

    Usage

    Often used in formal contexts like work reports or school grades.

    Teacher's tip

    Help students understand that 'satisfactory' is a 'lukewarm' word; it means something is okay, but it lacks the enthusiasm of 'excellent' or 'great'.
    Pitfall
    The food was very satisfactory.
    The food was very good.

    In modern English, 'satisfactory' is usually for formal reports or standards. Using it for personal enjoyment like food can sound cold or overly formal.

  2. 2 giving pleasure (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    giving you a feeling of being pleased or happy with a result.

    yielding satisfaction or contentment; providing a sense of completion or resolution.

    Example

    It was a satisfactory end to a very long and difficult day.

    Example

    Finding the missing documents provided a satisfactory conclusion to an investigation that had lasted nearly six months.

    Teacher's tip

    In this sense, 'satisfying' is much more common in modern spoken English than 'satisfactory'.
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  1. 3 religious atonement (adj.)
    C2 Proficiency Formal Technical Religion

    related to making up for a sin or a wrong act in a religious way.

    functioning as atonement or expiation for sin within a theological framework.

    Example

    The priest spoke about the satisfactory nature of the sacrifice.

    Example

    The treatise explores the concept of satisfactory penance as a means of reconciling the individual with the community.

    Usage

    Used almost exclusively in academic or theological discussions.

    Teacher's tip

    This sense is extremely rare and should only be taught to students reading historical or religious texts.
    • expiatory
    • atoning
Origin

Borrowed from Middle French satisfactoire, from Late Latin satisfactōrius, from Latin satisfactus, past participle of satisfaciō.

Word family

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