satisfy
gb/sˈætɪsfˌaɪ/ us/sˈætɪsfˌaɪ/
B1
English
~ 1900
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B1
action
1
Meet someone's needs or desires
To make someone happy by giving them what they want or need.
Usage pattern:
to satisfy [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'satisfy' with 'enjoy'. 'Enjoy' means to take pleasure in something, while 'satisfy' means to meet a need or want.
Synonyms
please (Focuses more on making someone happy emotionally rather than fulfilling a specific need.)
|
fulfill (Often used for meeting obligations or requirements, not just emotional satisfaction.)
Antonyms
disappoint (Means to fail to meet someone's expectations or desires.)
|
dissatisfy (Direct opposite; to leave someone unsatisfied or unhappy with the result.)
Collocations
satisfy a customer
|satisfy a need
|satisfy a desire
|satisfy hunger
|satisfy curiosity
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The meal was delicious and really satisfied my hunger.
- Her explanation satisfied my curiosity about the project.
- The company aims to satisfy all its customers' needs.
- I hope the results will satisfy your expectations.
- He worked hard to satisfy the demands of the job.
Learner examples
- This food will satisfy you.
- The answer will satisfy her.
- The teacher's words satisfy me.
- Water will satisfy your thirst.
- He tries to satisfy his boss.
Verb
B2
action
2
Fulfill rules or conditions
To do what is needed for a rule, law, or contract.
Usage pattern:
to satisfy [requirement/condition/criteria]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'pass' instead of 'satisfy' when talking about rules; 'pass' is for tests, 'satisfy' is for conditions.
Synonyms
meet (Commonly used in formal and informal contexts to mean fulfilling requirements.)
|
fulfill (Slightly more formal; often used for official or contractual obligations.)
Antonyms
violate (To break a rule or fail to meet conditions.)
|
breach (Often used in legal contexts for failing to fulfill an agreement.)
Collocations
satisfy a requirement
|satisfy a condition
|satisfy criteria
|satisfy the terms
|satisfy obligations
Themes
law
|business
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The proposal does not satisfy the criteria for funding.
- You must satisfy all the conditions before starting the project.
- She satisfied the requirements for the scholarship.
- The design satisfies industry safety standards.
- His work failed to satisfy the terms of the contract.
Learner examples
- I must satisfy the rules.
- This plan will satisfy the law.
- They satisfy the safety rules.
- We satisfy all the needs of the project.
- He satisfies the test conditions.
Verb
technical
C1
relation
3
Prove a condition is true
In math or logic, to have a value that makes a statement true.
Usage pattern:
to satisfy [equation/inequality/condition]
Synonyms
fulfill (In technical contexts, means to meet the specifications of a condition.)
|
meet (Can be used in technical contexts but less formal than 'fulfill'.)
Antonyms
violate (In technical contexts, means to fail to meet the stated condition.)
Collocations
satisfy an equation
|satisfy a formula
|satisfy a constraint
Themes
science
|mathematics
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The number 4 satisfies the equation x² = 16.
- These variables satisfy all given constraints.
- Only positive integers satisfy this inequality.
Learner examples
- Two satisfies this equation.
- This number satisfies the rule.
- It satisfies the formula.
Grammar
Dictionary form
satisfy
IPA
GB/sˈætɪsfˌaɪ/
US/sˈætɪsfˌaɪ/
Syllables & stress
sat - is - fy (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (sat)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: satisfy
- 3rd Person Singular: satisfies
- Present Participle: satisfying
- Past: satisfied
Word family
Forms
Core family
satisfaction
noun B1
satisfactory
adjective B1
Related words
satisfactorily
adverb B2
Negative and opposite forms
dissatisfied
adjective B1
dissatisfaction
noun B2
unsatisfactory
adjective B2
unsatisfying
adjective
Advanced or less common
dissatisfy
verb
Expressions
satisfy a requirement
1/sˈætɪsfˌaɪ ə ɹɪkwˈaɪɹmənt/
fixed phrase
Do what a rule asks for
To do what is needed for a rule or law.
Examples
- You must satisfy this requirement before applying.
- His qualifications satisfy all requirements for the job.
satisfy oneself that
2/sˈætɪsfˌaɪ wˌʌnsˈɛlf ðˈæt/
fixed phrase
formal
Personally confirm something is true
To check something yourself to make sure it is true or correct.
Examples
- He satisfied himself that all doors were locked before leaving.
- Please satisfy yourself that the information is accurate before signing.
satisfy someone's curiosity
3/sˈætɪsfˌaɪ sˈʌmwˌʌnz kjˌʊɹiˈɑsəti/
fixed phrase
Give information someone wants to know
To tell someone something so they stop wondering about it.
Examples
- The guide satisfied our curiosity about the ancient ruins.
- Her story satisfied my curiosity about what happened.