noun

acceptance

ak-SEP-tuns/əkˈseptəns/

The act of receiving or acknowledging something without rejection.

Her willing acceptance of the gift completes the friendly exchange.

A woman willingly receives a small wrapped gift offered by a man, reaching to take it and saying “Yes, thank you.” The visible handover and brief response establish agreement to receive rather than merely an offer.

Etymology

acLatinto, toward

+ceptLatinto take

+anceFrenchact, fact, or state

The base moved from taking something toward oneself to receiving it willingly. The noun ending names that act of willing reception, whether what is received is an object, a proposal, or a belief.

In context

Stoic Magnet76:03

acceptance in the stoic sense is a cleareyed acknowledgement of reality so you can act more effectively within it.

The DICHOTOMY of Control and the Cost of Holding On to the External World

More examples

The proposal gained widespread acceptance.
Her acceptance of the diagnosis helped her plan treatment.
The college sent its acceptance by email.

Forms

acceptance · acceptances

Similar words

approval: Often implies a positive judgment rather than simply welcoming inclusion.
reception: Reception describes how something is received and need not be favorable.