ad-

to, toward; addition; sometimes emphasis

Forms

ad-
ac- — Used before c in Latin.
af- — Used before f in Latin.
ag- — Used before g in Latin.
al- — Used before l in Latin.
ap- — Used before p in Latin.
ar- — Used before r in Latin.
as- — Used before s in Latin.
at- — Used before t in Latin.

Origin

Reconstructed Proto-Indo-European *ad, ‘to; near.’

Note

Later Latin-based spellings sometimes restored consonants that had disappeared in French.

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adjective

acceptable

ak-SEP-tuh-bul/əkˈseptəbl/

Good enough to be accepted.

The carry-on bag fits the frame and is an acceptable size.

At an airport boarding checkpoint, a traveler's full carry-on bag fits completely inside a luggage-sizing frame.

Etymology

acLatinto, toward; addition; sometimes emphasis

+ceptLatintake, hold, seize

+ableLatinable to be; fit for

The “taking toward” base came to mean receiving willingly; the adjective described something worthy of that welcome. Something acceptable is therefore fit to be received or approved, even if it is only good enough.

In context

Admin Career Guide0:59

The acceptable use policy typically includes a list of acceptable behaviors and those that are not acceptable. It may specify that employees should use the internet only for work rellated tasks

What Is An Acceptable Use Policy? - Admin Career Guide

More examples

We need an acceptable solution for both sides.
The first draft was barely acceptable.
Her explanation seemed acceptable to the committee.

Forms

acceptable

acceptability noun — the quality of being acceptable

Similar words

satisfactory: Good enough to meet a need.
adequate: Sufficient without necessarily being pleasing.