satisfy
SA-tihs-feye
Satisfy (verb) means to meet the needs, wishes, or requirements of someone or something. Example: “Nothing seemed to satisfy the customer, however many times we changed the order.”
verb
1
To meet the needs, wishes, or requirements of someone or something.
"Nothing seemed to satisfy the customer, however many times we changed the order."
"The snack was enough to satisfy his hunger."
"The report satisfies all the legal requirements."
2
To convince someone, by providing evidence or proof.
"The detective's photos were enough to satisfy the jury that the man was lying."
"It took several documents to satisfy the bank that he was who he said."
"She satisfied the examiner that she understood the material."
How to use satisfy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo give someone enough of what they need or want, or to convince them of something.
Common pairings
satisfy a need
satisfy a requirement
satisfy someone that
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- satisfies
- Past tense
- satisfied
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Nothing seemed to _____ the customer, however many times we changed the order.
Etymology
From Latin satisfacere, combining satis ("enough") and facere ("to do" or "make") — literally "to do enough."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “satisfy” mean?
The word “satisfy” means to meet the needs, wishes, or requirements of someone or something. In plain terms, to give someone enough of what they need or want, or to convince them of something.
How do you pronounce “satisfy”?
“Satisfy” is pronounced SA-tihs-feye (/ˈsætɪsfaɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “satisfy” in a sentence?
Here is “satisfy” used in a sentence: “The snack was enough to satisfy his hunger.”
What is another word for “satisfy”?
Words with a similar meaning to “satisfy” include abound, amuse, appease, assuage, captivate and cater.
What is the opposite of “satisfy”?
The opposite of “satisfy” — its antonyms — are disappoint, dissatisfy, exhaust and worsen.
What part of speech is “satisfy”?
“Satisfy” is a verb.
Where does the word “satisfy” come from?
The word “satisfy” comes from Latin. From Latin satisfacere, combining satis ("enough") and facere ("to do" or "make") — literally "to do enough.".
Is “satisfy” a common word?
“Satisfy” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between satisfy and please?
To please someone is to give them enjoyment or happiness. To satisfy someone is to meet their needs, wishes, or requirements fully. A meal can please you with its flavor yet still fail to satisfy your hunger.
What is the difference between satisfy and fulfill?
The two overlap when talking about conditions: you can satisfy or fulfill a requirement. Fulfill leans toward promises, duties, ambitions, and potential, while satisfy leans toward needs, appetites, standards, and formal conditions. Only satisfy carries the added sense of convincing someone with evidence.
Can satisfy mean to convince?
Yes. In formal and legal English, to satisfy someone means to convince them by providing evidence or proof, as in "the documents satisfied the court that the claim was genuine." This sense is common in contracts, courts, and official procedures.
What is the noun form of satisfy?
The noun is satisfaction, meaning the state of having one's needs or requirements met. The related adjectives are satisfied for the person whose needs are met, and satisfying or satisfactory for the thing that meets them; satisfying means genuinely pleasing, while satisfactory means merely acceptable.
