satisfaction
gb/sˌætɪsfˈækʃən/ us/sˌætɪsfˈækʃən/
B1
English
~ 2800
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
state
1
Pleasure from fulfilled needs
A happy feeling when you get what you want or need.
Usage pattern:
[someone] feels satisfaction at/with/from [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'satisfaction' with 'satisfactory'; the first is a feeling, the second describes something that is acceptable or good enough.
Synonyms
contentment (Implies a calm, peaceful form of satisfaction, often without excitement.)
Antonyms
dissatisfaction (The opposite feeling of being unhappy or displeased with a result or situation.)
Collocations
deep satisfaction
|sense of satisfaction
|express satisfaction
|gain satisfaction
|feel satisfaction
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She felt great satisfaction after finishing the marathon.
- The teacher took satisfaction in her students' success.
- He expressed satisfaction with the quality of the service.
- Winning the award gave him a deep sense of satisfaction.
- They derived satisfaction from helping others.
Learner examples
- I felt satisfaction when I passed the test.
- She smiled with satisfaction after cooking a good meal.
- He had satisfaction from his hard work.
- They felt satisfaction when the job was done.
- My father showed satisfaction when I cleaned my room.
Noun
B2
action
2
Fulfilling a demand or need
Doing what is needed to make someone happy or to meet a rule or demand.
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] gives/provides satisfaction to [someone]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with personal happiness; here it refers to meeting standards or requirements, not just feeling good.
Synonyms
fulfillment (Often used in a more formal or contractual context to indicate completion of requirements.)
Antonyms
breach (Failure to meet an obligation or requirement.)
Collocations
full satisfaction
|complete satisfaction
|satisfaction of a claim
Themes
business
|law
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The contractor completed the work to the client's satisfaction.
- Payment was made in full satisfaction of the debt.
- The company aims for customer satisfaction with every purchase.
- They worked hard for the satisfaction of their contractual duties.
Learner examples
- The shop gave me a refund to my satisfaction.
- He changed the plan to my satisfaction.
- The team finished the project to the boss’s satisfaction.
Noun
formal
C1
action
3
Making amends for wrongdoing
Doing something to make up for hurting someone or causing a problem.
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize this sense is formal and often legal, and it is less about emotion and more about justice or repayment.
Synonyms
compensation (A general term for something given in return for loss or damage; less formal than 'satisfaction' in legal contexts.)
Antonyms
harm (Causing injury rather than making amends for it.)
Collocations
seek satisfaction
|give satisfaction
Themes
law
Examples
- The injured party sought satisfaction through the courts.
- He demanded satisfaction for the insult.
- In historical contexts, duels were fought to gain satisfaction.
Learner examples
- He wanted satisfaction after his car was damaged.
- She asked for satisfaction because her order was wrong.
- They looked for satisfaction after they lost money.
Grammar
Dictionary form
satisfaction
IPA
GB/sˌætɪsfˈækʃən/
US/sˌætɪsfˈækʃən/
Syllables & stress
sat - is - fac - tion (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (fac)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: satisfaction
- Plural: satisfaction, satisfactions
Word family
Forms
satisfactions
noun
Related words
satisfactory
adjective B1
satisfactorily
adverb B2
Negative and opposite forms
Expressions
guaranteed satisfaction
1/ɡˌɛɹəntˈid sˌætɪsfˈækʃən/
fixed phrase
Promise of happiness or refund
A promise that you will like something, or get your money back if you don't.
Examples
- We offer guaranteed satisfaction on all our products.
- Guaranteed satisfaction or your money back.
to someone's satisfaction
1/tə sˈʌmwˌʌnz sˌætɪsfˈækʃən/
fixed phrase
Meeting someone's standards
Done in a way that makes someone feel it is good enough.
Examples
- The report was completed to the manager's satisfaction.
- She explained the situation to my satisfaction.
customer satisfaction
1/kˈʌstəmɚ sˌætɪsfˈækʃən/
fixed phrase
how pleased customers are
How happy people are with what they buy or the service they get.
Examples
- Customer satisfaction is our top priority.
- The survey showed high levels of customer satisfaction.
- The survey measures customer satisfaction after each purchase.