ENGLISH
REFERENCE

satisfactory

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˌsætəsˈfæktɹi// UK //sˌætɪsfˈæktəɹˌi// sat·is·fac·to·ry

adj. good enough for what you need, even if it is not perfect. You use this to say that something meets the rules or standards.

adj. meeting the requirements or expectations for a particular purpose. Often used in formal assessments to indicate a passing grade that is acceptable but not exceptional.


SIMPLE

The student's work was satisfactory and met all the requirements.

CONTEXTUAL

The technician confirmed that the repairs were satisfactory and the machine was safe to use again.

COMPLEX

While the initial results were satisfactory for a preliminary study, the board requested more rigorous testing before approving the final product for mass distribution.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

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

Usage

Often follows a linking verb like 'be', 'seem', or 'find'.

Pitfall

The results were satisfied.The results were satisfactory.Learners often confuse the adjective 'satisfactory' (describing a thing) with the participle 'satisfied' (describing a person's feeling).

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