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satisfactorily

C2
Uncommon

Pronunciation

UK

  • /sˌætɪsfˈæktərəlˌi/

US

  • /ˌsætɪsˈfæktrəli/

Meanings

Adverb

  1. in a way that is good enough or acceptable

Beyond the definition

To do something satisfactorily means to do it well enough to meet requirements or expectations, not necessarily brilliantly, but without causing complaint. If you complete a task this way, your boss may not be impressed, but they also will not ask you to do it again. It suggests a solid, acceptable result.

Think of a student completing an assignment. A perfect score is not always necessary; sometimes, a "C" is enough to meet the course requirement. Or imagine ordering room service after a long flight. You do not need a gourmet meal, just something good enough to do the job. It is about meeting a standard, not going beyond it.

Examples

  1. 1

    Office tasks

    The printer is old, but it still works satisfactorily for everyday office tasks.

  2. 2

    Job performance

    She performed satisfactorily in her first month, though her manager still wants to see improvement.

  3. 3

    Customer complaint

    The customer felt that her complaint had been handled satisfactorily.

  4. 4

    Explanation

    He still hasn't explained the delay satisfactorily.

    • Patternexplain + problem satisfactorily

      explain it clearly enough to be accepted

More examples
  1. 5

    Medical trial

    The trial showed that the treatment did not reduce symptoms satisfactorily in older patients.

  2. 6

    Safety concerns

    We won't close the case until all the safety concerns have been addressed satisfactorily.

    • Patternaddress + concern satisfactorily

      deal with it well enough

See also

Similar

Shades of meaning

Contrast

Used with (collocations)

  • perform satisfactorily
  • completed satisfactorily
  • resolved satisfactorily
  • satisfactorily explained

Word family

Explore

  • minimum standard
  • quality assessment

Forms and spellings

1 form open this card.

Main spelling

  • satisfactorilyadverb