satisfactory

Everyday

1. Good enough; acceptable, but not excellent. tree →
2. Fulfilling what is needed or expected. tree →

In the lessons

In school reports, «satisfactory» usually means OK – not bad, but with room to improve. In formal writing: «a satisfactory answer», «satisfactory progress». In everyday life: a satisfactory meal or repair. In the stiff exam voice: «the results were satisfactory». Phrases: «satisfactory progress», «less than satisfactory», «a satisfactory explanation».

Examples

• My report said my handwriting was satisfactory. tree →
• The plumber's repair was satisfactory, and the tap stopped leaking. tree →
• We found a satisfactory answer to the problem. tree →
• His behaviour was less than satisfactory. tree →
• The test results were satisfactory, but she wanted to do better. tree →
• The room was clean and satisfactory for one night. tree →
• The teacher wanted a more satisfactory explanation of how the experiment worked. tree →
• The result of her observation must have been satisfactory, for presently she laughed, and said: tree →

Note

Not as strong as «satisfying» (giving pleasure): a satisfactory meal is good enough; a satisfying meal makes you happy and full. Opposite: «unsatisfactory». «Less than satisfactory» is a polite way to say «bad». Spelling: satis-fact-ory.

In Jewish tradition

In school reports, «satisfactory» usually means OK – not bad, but with room to improve. In formal writing: «a satisfactory answer», «satisfactory progress». In everyday life: a satisfactory meal or repair. In the stiff exam voice: «the results were satisfactory». Phrases: «satisfactory progress», «less than satisfactory», «a satisfactory explanation».

Examples

• Three mothers, Alef-Mem-Shin—In the Person [note 1: There is no satisfactory English equivalent of Hebrew נֶפֶשׁ nefesh, translated reluctantly as ‘person’. (Sefer Yetzirah, Sefaria community translation) tree →

Note

Not as strong as «satisfying» (giving pleasure): a satisfactory meal is good enough; a satisfying meal makes you happy and full. Opposite: «unsatisfactory». «Less than satisfactory» is a polite way to say «bad». Spelling: satis-fact-ory.