satisfactory

Satisfactory is an adjective used to describe something that meets accepted standards or expectations without necessarily exceeding them. A satisfactory result is considered adequate and acceptable, whereas an unsatisfactory result fails to meet the required standard. In professional, legal, and regulatory contexts, the term often indicates compliance or adequate performance, while noting that improvement or higher standards may be possible or desirable.

The word derives from Latin satisfacere, meaning to satisfy, and from satisfaction, with the adjective development occurring through Old French and English evolution. Its modern form, satisfactory, entered English in the early modern period and has since remained a common neutral descriptor.

In usage, the term carries a spectrum of nuance from plain adequacy to formal endorsement. A statement, report, or product labeled satisfactory implies it meets relevant criteria but does not imply excellence. The exact implications can depend on context, such as contract terms, quality control, or assessment rubrics, where “satisfactory” may be the minimum threshold required to proceed.

Satisfactory is also the title of a video game developed by Coffee Stain Studios. Released in 2019, Satisfactory is a first‑person, open‑world factory-building game in which players explore an alien landscape, gather resources, and design automated production lines to manufacture increasingly complex products. The game emphasizes logistics, scale, and cooperative multiplayer, and has been noted for its focus on factory optimization and expansive environments.