acceptable

USAGE SUMMARY

"acceptable" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe something as being satisfactory, adequate, or presentable. Example sentence: She completed the assignment to an acceptable standard.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But the next chapter for British multiculturalism might well demand that the boundaries of what state schools regard as acceptable in the acceptance of diversity needs sharper focus.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I am accountable for the railways and the performance [over Christmas] was not acceptable so I have decided that I should not take my bonus this year," he told Sky News.

The Guardian

Her argument was to question why it is acceptable to discuss spending billions on HS2 to create links and work opportunities, but not on childcare.

The Guardian - Opinion

Tony Bunyan, director of Statewatch, which documents European justice and home affairs policies, added: "The government's justification for not participating in Triton is cynical and an abdication of responsibility by saying that not helping to rescue people fleeing from war, persecution and poverty who are likely to perish is an acceptable way to discourage immigration".

The Guardian

Levels of customer service are still probably the worst of any European capital, but truly egregious rudeness and aggression are now the exception rather than the norm, as a whole generation of Muscovites who have travelled the world no longer find surly, Soviet-style service acceptable at home.

The Guardian

I don't think having [the SNP] pulling the strings in the government of the country when they want to pull the country apart is acceptable to many people".

The Guardian

The trolls have to post the photographs together with information they can pull from a website marketed as a "patriotic Russian Wikipedia", featuring ideologically acceptable versions of world events.

The Guardian

That announcement was also the source of Twitter's infamous "quadrant" guidance, when the company attempted to explain which uses of its API were acceptable, and which weren't.

The Guardian - Tech

It is not acceptable to say 'we don't have enough funding and training'.

The Guardian

"There is a critical difference between staunchly supporting expression that violates the acceptable, and enthusiastically rewarding such expression," the letter reads.

The Guardian - Books

She quotes Oscar Wilde – "The one duty we owe to history is to rewrite it" – and, she adds, "He really was the person in a position to say that – he knew that history had to be remade, because only certain narratives deliver themselves as acceptable, dominant narratives".

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for a neutral tone, use "acceptable" to indicate that something meets the necessary requirements without necessarily being exceptional. For instance: "The quality of the work was acceptable, though not outstanding."

Common error

Avoid using "acceptable" too frequently in formal or academic writing where more precise language may be required. Consider alternatives like "satisfactory" or "suitable" to convey specific nuances and maintain a higher level of sophistication.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "acceptable" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns, describing them as satisfactory or adequate according to a certain standard. Ludwig AI shows that it is often used to qualify agreements, conditions, or levels of performance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

28%

Science

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "acceptable" functions as an adjective, denoting something that meets a certain standard or requirement, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is frequently used in news, business, and scientific contexts to indicate agreement, compliance, or adequacy. While grammatically correct and commonly employed, careful consideration should be given to context, especially in formal writing, where more precise language may be needed. Alternatives like "satisfactory" or "suitable" can provide greater nuance depending on the intended meaning. "Acceptable" is a versatile term, but mindful usage ensures clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

satisfactory

Focuses on meeting a certain standard or requirement, often implying adequacy rather than excellence.

suitable

Emphasizes appropriateness for a specific purpose or situation.

permissible

Highlights that something is allowed or authorized, rather than necessarily desirable.

tolerable

Suggests something is bearable or endurable, though possibly not ideal.

adequate

Indicates that something is sufficient or meets the minimum requirements.

allowable

Similar to permissible, but can also imply that something is within certain limits or constraints.

appropriate

Highlights that something is well-suited and fitting for the circumstances.

admissible

Often used in legal contexts to indicate something is allowed to be presented as evidence.

respectable

Suggests that something is socially acceptable and aligns with conventional standards.

palatable

Implies something is agreeable or pleasing, often in a figurative sense.

FAQs

How can I use "acceptable" in a sentence?

You can use "acceptable" to describe something that meets a certain standard or requirement. For example, "The terms of the agreement were "acceptable" to both parties".

What are some synonyms for "acceptable"?

Some synonyms for "acceptable" include "satisfactory", "suitable", and "permissible", each offering a slightly different nuance.

When is it appropriate to use "acceptable" versus "satisfactory"?

"Acceptable" generally implies that something meets a minimum requirement, whereas "satisfactory" suggests it meets expectations or provides contentment. Choose the word that best fits the context.

What's the difference between "acceptable" and "tolerable"?

"Acceptable" means something is adequate or satisfactory, while "tolerable" suggests something is bearable or endurable, often implying it's not ideal but can be accepted.