WordGarden.iosatisfy
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /sˈætɪsfˌaɪ/
US
- /ˈsætəsˌfaɪ/
Meanings
Verb
to meet a need, standard, condition, or requirement
to make someone pleased or content by giving them enough of what they want or need
to provide enough evidence or assurance to convince someone or yourself
More meaningsFewer meanings
to pay or discharge a debt, claim, judgment, or other obligation
Beyond the definition
To satisfy someone means to make them happy or pleased by giving them what they need or want. Think of a hungry person finally sitting down to a good meal: it takes away their hunger. It can also mean to meet a requirement or condition, as in "This course satisfies the graduation requirements." Sometimes it is about calming an inner need, like when nothing can satisfy your curiosity.
You can satisfy a craving with a piece of chocolate, satisfy a need for information with careful research, and satisfy a boss with good work. The feeling is closely linked to contentment: that warm, calm sense you get when things feel right. If something falls short, you feel unsatisfied.
To satisfy means to fulfill a need, desire, or requirement, bringing about a sense of pleasure, contentment, or completion. It is more than simply meeting an expectation; it implies a positive outcome that leaves someone feeling fulfilled. For example, stating that "The delicious meal satisfied his hunger" suggests he wasn't just fed, but that he truly enjoyed the experience and reached a state of physical ease.
The word applies to both physical needs, such as hunger and thirst, and intangible concepts like curiosity or ambition. "Her thirst for knowledge was never satisfied" implies an endless drive to learn. It is also used in formal contexts where a specific condition must be met: "The evidence must satisfy the jury beyond a reasonable doubt."
Interestingly, satisfy can also mean to convince oneself of something to achieve peace of mind. "He tried to satisfy himself that he had made the right decision" suggests he was seeking reassurance to quiet his lingering doubts. This usage highlights the psychological aspect of satisfaction—the internal state of being at peace with a situation.
The word traces back to the Old French satisfaire, rooted in the Latin satisfacere, meaning "to do enough." Whether it is a craving for chocolate, a requirement for a legal contract, or a desire for justice, to satisfy is to provide exactly what is needed to bring about a sense of completeness.
Examples
- 1
Hunger
One bowl of pasta was enough to satisfy my hunger.
- 2
Hospitality
The hotel tries hard to satisfy its guests.
- 3
Explanation
His explanation didn't satisfy the manager.
- 4
Job requirements
To apply for the job, you must satisfy all the basic requirements.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Product demand
The company still can't satisfy demand for the new product.
- Patternsatisfy demand
provide as much as people want
- 6
Curiosity
I asked a few more questions to satisfy my curiosity.
- 7
Checking facts
She read the contract twice to satisfy herself that everything was correct.
- Patternsatisfy yourself that ...
make sure that ...
- 8
Public response
An apology alone won't satisfy the people who were affected.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
- dissatisfy
- fall short
Used with (collocations)
- satisfy a requirement
- satisfy demand
- satisfy a craving
- satisfy curiosity
Word family
Explore
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- satisfyverb
Forms
- satisfiedpast tenseverb
- satisfying-ing formverb
- satisfiesverb