satisfy
- 01 B1 Intermediate
to make someone happy by giving them what they want or need.
to fulfill the desires, expectations, or needs of a person, making them content.
Simple“The restaurant worked hard to satisfy every customer who visited that night.”
In context“The final cut of the film managed to satisfy both the demanding critics and the casual moviegoers, a rare feat for a summer blockbuster.”
UsageOften used in the passive voice: 'to be satisfied with'.
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
to be good enough for a rule, a need, or a condition.
to comply with or fulfill a condition, obligation, or standard.
Simple“You must satisfy all the entry requirements before you can join the course.”
In context“The applicant failed to satisfy the rigorous criteria established by the board, leading to an immediate rejection of the proposal.”
UsageCommonly takes an abstract noun as an object, such as 'criteria', 'conditions', or 'demands'.
- 03 C1 Advanced
to pay all the money you owe for a bill or a loan.
to discharge a financial obligation or legal claim by paying what is due.
Simple“He had to sell his car to satisfy his debts to the bank.”
In context“The court ordered the company to liquidate its remaining assets to satisfy the outstanding claims of its creditors.”
UsageTypically used in legal or formal financial contexts regarding 'claims' or 'debts'.
- 04 C2 Proficiency
to provide enough proof so that someone stops doubting you.
to free someone from doubt or uncertainty by providing adequate evidence.
Simple“The detective was satisfied that the witness was telling the truth.”
In context“Having examined the original manuscripts, the historian was finally satisfied of the document's authenticity.”
Teacher's tipIn modern English, 'convince' is much more common; this sense of 'satisfy' often appears in older literature or very formal reports.
- 05 C1 Advanced
to make a mathematical statement or rule true.
to make a sentence or equation true when specific values are applied.
Simple“The value of x must satisfy the equation for the answer to be correct.”
In context“The proposed model must satisfy the fundamental laws of thermodynamics to be considered a viable solution for the energy crisis.”
Usage satisfy condition · satisfy constraint · satisfy demand
“Nothing short of a sincere mea culpa is likely to satisfy.”
“It's old-school, swords-and-sandals cinema, yet still modern and richly satisfying.”
From Middle English satisfyen, satisfien, from Old French satisfiier, satisfier (also Old French satisfaire), from Latin satisfacere, from satis (“enough, sufficient”) + faciō (“to make; to do”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.