# unsatisfactory

/ˌənsətɪsˈfæktɝi/ (US) · /ʌnsˌætɪsfˈæktəɹˌi/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/unsatisfactory
Updated: 2026-05-09

## Definition

not good enough to meet a standard or a requirement. You use this to describe something that is disappointing or fails to do what it should.

For teachers: failing to meet a required standard, expectation, or set of criteria. Often used in formal assessments or professional feedback to indicate that a result is unacceptable.

## Examples

- The student's explanation for being late was unsatisfactory.
- After reviewing the initial draft, the manager found the quality of the research unsatisfactory and requested a complete rewrite.
- The committee deemed the safety measures unsatisfactory, citing several critical vulnerabilities that had been overlooked during the initial inspection phase.

## Pitfalls

- Not "The results were very unsatisfying." but "The results were very unsatisfactory." — Learners often confuse 'unsatisfying' (not giving a feeling of pleasure or fulfillment) with 'unsatisfactory' (not meeting a required standard).

## Usage notes

- Commonly follows linking verbs such as 'be', 'seem', or 'remain'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.