acceptable
7 synonyms and 1 antonym for acceptable, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Good enough to be approved of or allowed; satisfactory.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use acceptable
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
acceptable behavior
socially acceptable
acceptable level
Etymology
From Old French acceptable, from Late Latin acceptabilis, "worthy of being accepted."
Full origin of acceptable →Frequently asked questions
What does “acceptable” mean?
The word “acceptable” means good enough to be approved of or allowed; satisfactory. In plain terms, good enough to pass — meets the minimum standard, even if not impressive.
How do you pronounce “acceptable”?
“Acceptable” is pronounced uhk-SEHP-tuh-buhl (/əkˈsɛp.tə.bəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “acceptable” in a sentence?
Here is “acceptable” used in a sentence: “The landlord said the apartment was in acceptable condition.”
What part of speech is “acceptable”?
“Acceptable” is an adjective.
Where does the word “acceptable” come from?
The word “acceptable” comes from Late Latin. From Old French acceptable, from Late Latin acceptabilis, "worthy of being accepted.".
Is “acceptable” a common word?
“Acceptable” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between 'acceptable' and 'excellent'?
'Acceptable' means good enough to be approved of or allowed, meeting the minimum standard without being impressive. 'Excellent' means far above that standard, so calling work acceptable is faint praise while calling it excellent is high praise.
What is the difference between 'acceptable' and 'unacceptable'?
'Acceptable' means satisfactory and good enough to be approved or allowed, while 'unacceptable' means the opposite: not good enough and not to be allowed. The prefix 'un-' simply reverses the meaning.
What preposition is used with 'acceptable'?
'Acceptable' is most often followed by 'to' when naming who approves, as in 'the terms were acceptable to both sides.' It can also take 'for' when naming a purpose, as in 'acceptable for everyday use.'
Is 'acceptable' a positive or neutral word?
'Acceptable' is a mild, neutral-to-positive word meaning satisfactory or good enough to be allowed. It signals approval without enthusiasm, so it often implies something meets requirements but is not outstanding.
