satisfactorily
gb/sˌætɪsfˈæktɚəli/ us/sˌætɪsfˈæktɚəli/
B2
English
~ 9200
Senses
0 senses
adverb
formal
B2
property
1
in a way that is good enough
In a way that is good enough for a rule, a job, or a person’s needs, even if it is not perfect.
Usage pattern:
to do [something] satisfactorily
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse "satisfactorily" (adverb) with "satisfactory" (adjective) and "satisfied" (adjective for a feeling). For example, they may say *"He did a satisfactory"* instead of "He did the job satisfactorily," or *"I am satisfactorily"* instead of "I am satisfied." Another mistake is using "satisfyingly," which is much less common and usually refers to giving a pleasant feeling, not meeting a standard.
Synonyms
adequately (Very close in meaning, but slightly more common and less formal in everyday English.)
|
acceptably (Emphasizes that something is good enough to be accepted, though not especially good.)
|
sufficiently (Focuses on being enough in amount or degree, sometimes more technical or measured in tone.)
Antonyms
inadequately (Highlights that something is not enough in quality or amount to meet the standard.)
|
poorly (Stresses low quality of performance, more informal and general in tone.)
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unsatisfactorily (Direct opposite; clearly fails to meet needs or expectations.)
Collocations
perform satisfactorily
|function satisfactorily
|work satisfactorily
|completed satisfactorily
|resolve satisfactorily
|explain satisfactorily
Themes
work
|education
|evaluation
|core_vocabulary
|communication
Examples
- The project was not completed satisfactorily and had to be redone.
- She answered all the questions satisfactorily and passed the interview.
- The machine has been operating satisfactorily for over five years.
- The company failed to satisfactorily explain the delay in payments.
- His duties were not performed satisfactorily, so his contract was not renewed.
Learner examples
- She did her work satisfactorily and her boss was happy.
- The car runs satisfactorily after the repair.
- He could not explain the problem satisfactorily.
- The student answered the teacher’s questions satisfactorily.
- The job was finished satisfactorily, so we paid the workers.
Grammar
Dictionary form
satisfactorily
IPA
GB/sˌætɪsfˈæktɚəli/
US/sˌætɪsfˈæktɚəli/
Syllables & stress
sat - is - fact - or - ily (5 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (fact)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: satisfactorily
- Plural: satisfactorilies
Word family
Forms
satisfactorilies
noun
Core family
Related words
satisfied
adjective A2
satisfying
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
unsatisfactory
adjective B2
unsatisfactorily
adverb
dissatisfaction
noun B2
dissatisfied
adjective B1
Advanced or less common
dissatisfy
verb
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.