acceptable
UK[əkˈseptəbl̩]US[əkˈseptəbl̩]
adj
good enough to be used for a particular purpose or to be considered satisfactory
adj
considered by most people as reasonable or right
Morpheme Breakdown
accept
able
accept
take
able
capable of
Etymology
The word 'acceptable' is built upon the Latin verb accipere, meaning "to take or receive". The core concept of taking something in, whether physically or mentally, evolved into the notion of receiving something favorably or with approval. By adding the suffix -abilis, which denotes capability or fitness, the word literally means "capable of being received". Over time, this literal sense broadened into the modern abstract meaning of being adequate, satisfactory, or meeting a standard that allows it to be "taken" or approved by others. It captures the idea of something passing the threshold for being received or agreed upon.
Analysis
Structure: accept (take) + able (capable of)
- accept: From Latin acceptare, a frequentative of accipere (to take, receive), from ad- (to) + capere (to take).
- able: From Latin -abilis, an adjective-forming suffix meaning "capable of, fit for, tending to".
Examples
The food was acceptable, but not particularly memorable.
It is not socially acceptable to interrupt someone while they are speaking.
We must find a solution that is acceptable to all parties involved.