acceptably

Acceptably is an adverb meaning in a manner that meets an accepted standard or to a degree that is considered acceptable. It conveys a neutral or mildly favorable assessment, indicating that something is adequate without implying excellence or enthusiasm. The term is often used in evaluative contexts, such as reviews, quality checks, and everyday judgments about performance, outputs, or behavior.

Etymology and form: Acceptably is formed from the adjective acceptable, which itself comes from the Latin acceptabilis, from accept- (from accipere, “to take”) plus the suffix -abilis, with the adverbial suffix -ly added to create acceptably. The word has long been used in English to describe conformity to a standard or expectation.

Usage notes: Acceptably describes a level that satisfies criteria but may also carry a nuance of being merely sufficient. It is common in formal and written language when a measured assessment is intended. In contrast, more positive terms like satisfactorily or admirably imply stronger approval, while unacceptably or inadequately express disapproval.

Examples: The proposal was acceptably written and met the committee’s requirements. The team performed acceptably under difficult conditions, though there is room for improvement. The interface is acceptably user-friendly for most users.

Related terms: acceptable, acceptance, acceptability, satisfactorily, adequately. Antonyms include unacceptably and inadequately.