passable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "passable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is acceptable or satisfactory, but not exceptional. Example: "The food at the restaurant was passable, but I wouldn't recommend it for a special occasion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Can you do a passable rendition of Fire and Rain?

The Guardian - Film

He speaks passable Spanish and French and is a frequent attendee at Davos, the annual gathering of the global elite.

The Economist

Unlike Mr Manning, Mr Day speaks passable French and is witty (he embraced family values by referring to "the two founding genders").If the new party is blessed in the referendum, the Alliance will then go on to pick its leader in June.

The Economist

It is mainly designed to head off an otherwise inevitable attack from Labour: in opposition, Mr Cameron vowed that a third of his cabinet ministers would be women by the end of the Parliament; this reshuffle takes them to a passable 29%.The fortunes of Mr Gove and, to a lesser degree, Mr Hague reveal more about Mr Cameron's planning.

The Economist

Despite its boomtown tag, Baku still has only two passable hotels.

The Economist

During his childhood the village road was barely passable.

The Economist

Science has a passable knowledge of how individual nerve cells, known as neurons, work.

The Economist

If Myanmar's reformist government were to pull off even a passable rendition of the promised number, a standing ovation would be in order.

The Economist

(That is despite the fact she speaks only passable English, while her Russian is fluent).But she is more than a clever manipulator of the centre: witness her long list of planned reforms, which are quite radical in the German context: simplifying tax, overhauling pensions, reducing job protection and curbing the trade unions.

The Economist

Mr Gómez, from Andalusia in Spain, learned a smattering of German in school and passable English while studying in America.

The Economist

A single track threads through the western part of South Sudan, passable by trucks only in the dry season.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "passable", consider the context to ensure it accurately conveys the intended level of quality. It's best suited for describing something that is adequate but not exceptional.

Common error

Avoid using "passable" when you intend to convey high quality or excellence. "Passable" implies adequacy rather than superiority; use terms like "excellent", "outstanding", or "exceptional" instead to describe something of top quality.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "passable" primarily functions to describe something as being adequate or acceptable, though not outstanding. As shown by Ludwig, it is employed to convey a sense of something meeting the minimum requirements or standards in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Encyclopedias

8%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "passable" is an adjective used to describe something as adequate or acceptable, but not particularly outstanding. Ludwig AI confirms that it follows standard grammar rules and is often used to describe qualities or conditions that meet basic requirements. This word appears most frequently in news and media sources, maintaining a neutral register. When aiming for more positive or stronger terms, consider alternatives such as "adequate" or "acceptable". While it is a common term, ensure its use aligns with the desired level of quality intended, avoiding its application when excellence is meant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adequate

Indicates a level that is sufficient or satisfactory, similar to "passable" but potentially implying a slightly higher standard.

acceptable

Suggests something meets a minimum requirement or standard, closely aligning with the meaning of "passable".

tolerable

Emphasizes the ability to be endured or put up with, similar to "passable" when referring to a less-than-ideal situation.

satisfactory

Implies fulfillment of expectations or needs, closely related to "passable" in meaning.

sufficient

Indicates enough to meet the requirements, aligning with "passable" in the sense of being adequate.

mediocre

Describes something that is neither good nor bad but of only moderate quality; can sometimes be used interchangeably with "passable".

fair

Suggests an average or moderate level of quality, similar to "passable" when describing something that is not outstanding.

so-so

An informal term indicating something is just average or acceptable, mirroring the meaning of "passable".

serviceable

Indicates something that is functional and able to perform its purpose, aligning with "passable" in practical contexts.

workable

Implies that something is capable of being used or done successfully, similar to "passable" when referring to solutions or plans.

FAQs

How can I use "passable" in a sentence?

You can use "passable" to describe something that is acceptable but not outstanding, such as "The restaurant's food was passable, but nothing special" or "His Spanish is passable for basic conversation".

What are some alternatives to the word "passable"?

Alternatives to "passable" include "adequate", "acceptable", "tolerable", and "satisfactory depending on the context".

Is it better to say "passable" or "acceptable"?

Both "passable" and "acceptable" suggest something meets a minimum standard. "Passable" often implies a lower level of quality than "acceptable", suggesting it's just good enough.

What does it mean when something is described as "barely passable"?

If something is "barely passable", it means it's only just meeting the minimum requirements or standards, indicating it's in a marginal or borderline state. It might be functional, but with significant limitations or difficulties.