acceptably

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'acceptably' is correct and usable in written English.
You would use it when referring to something that is satisfactory but not exceptional. For example: "The student's behaviour was acceptably polite, but could be improved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We had to accept Diego's results for what they were — perfectly, acceptably average and age-appropriate.

The New York Times

More acceptably expressed, that means that he is intellectually disabled.

The Guardian

Instead of writing a few lines about it, mentioning the author and giving a link to the publication, I'd rather print out a ream of copies and post them to every reader, then phone them up a week later to see if the article arrived and was read and digested in an acceptably enthusiastic manner.

The Guardian - Sport

An inventor in Phoenix, Arizona has cobbled together a prototype that is, frankly, a bit of a letdown – it's a mini hovercraft with rubbish stabilisers, but one that suggests the technology could be acceptably refined.

The Guardian - Film

In interviews, pupils from poorer backgrounds can often be at a disadvantage compared with those who have been reared in acceptably perjink neighbourhoods.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mr Cantor voted with his strikingly conservative caucus 95% of the time.In 2012 this approach led to the party fielding a number of Senate candidates who, though acceptably sincere in their commitment to the line the base wanted to hear, proved unelectable.

The Economist

If not, the achievements of the past few years low inflation, faster growth than the EU average and an acceptably low budget deficit could be reversed.

The Economist

The exchange was going acceptably, until my friend got a strange reply.

The Economist

Although IFAW feels the hunt is inhumane, a study published in the Canadian Veterinary Journal in 2002 concluded that most seals (about 98%) were killed in an acceptably humane manner.The disagreement may stem from the fact that when seals are killed by acute trauma to the brain (like a hakapik), they have reflex swimming movements that some see as the persistence of conscious life.

The Economist

If it could do so usefully and acceptably enough, Google could help users interrogate their own histories in much the same way as they now search for weather forecasts and celebrity news.Me no LeicaPeople may in time want to live on camera in ways like this, if they see advantages in doing so.

The Economist

This copies a template Fiat used when its tractor unit was merged with an American rival and spun off as CNH Industrial.The Netherlands is sometimes chosen as an acceptably neutral jurisdiction when firms from different countries tie the knot but national pride dictates that neither can move to the other's patch.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "acceptably" to convey that something meets a basic requirement or standard without necessarily being outstanding. It's ideal when describing situations where merely adequate performance is sufficient.

Common error

Avoid using "acceptably" in contexts that demand excellence or high performance. Opt for stronger adverbs like "excellently" or "outstandingly" to convey a higher standard.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "acceptably" functions primarily to modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, indicating the degree to which an action or quality meets a certain standard or requirement. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in describing performance, quality, or behavior that is adequate but not necessarily exceptional.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

81%

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "acceptably" is an adverb used to describe something that meets a basic standard or requirement, without necessarily being outstanding. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely used, especially in news and media contexts. When writing, use "acceptably" to convey adequacy, but consider stronger alternatives when excellence is implied. Avoid overusing it in formal contexts. The term indicates a level of formality that is neutral, suitable for general communication. The related phrases, such as "adequately" or "satisfactorily", offer similar meanings with subtle differences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adequately

Indicates a level that is sufficient but not outstanding.

satisfactorily

Implies that something meets expectations and provides satisfaction.

sufficiently

Suggests a level that is enough to fulfill a need or requirement.

passably

Indicates a barely acceptable level or standard.

tolerably

Suggests something is endurable or bearable, though not ideal.

decently

Implies conformity to standards of good taste or morality.

reasonably

Indicates something is fair or appropriate in a given situation.

well enough

Suggests a level that is adequate for a specific purpose.

suitably

Implies appropriateness for a particular situation or condition.

fairly

Indicates a moderate level, neither excellent nor poor.

FAQs

How can I use "acceptably" in a sentence?

"Acceptably" is used to describe something that meets a minimum standard or requirement. For instance, "The student performed "acceptably" on the exam, though there's room for improvement".

What are some alternatives to "acceptably"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "adequately", "satisfactorily", or "sufficiently". Each carries a slightly different nuance regarding the level of acceptance.

Is it correct to say "acceptably good"?

While grammatically correct, "acceptably good" might sound redundant. Consider using just "acceptably" or opting for a stronger adjective like "sufficiently good" or "adequately good" for more impact.

What is the difference between "acceptably" and "satisfactorily"?

"Acceptably" implies meeting a minimum requirement, while "satisfactorily" suggests that something meets expectations and provides satisfaction. "The work was "acceptably" completed" means it was just good enough. "The work was "satisfactorily" completed" means it met the required standards.