What does satisfactorily mean?
Satisfactorily is an adverb meaning “in a way that is good enough to meet a requirement or an acceptable standard.” It is commonly used when describing the performance of a person, the completion of a task, the resolution of a problem, or the condition of a product or service. Unlike “well,” which can suggest excellent performance, “satisfactorily” usually implies adequacy or acceptability without necessarily indicating excellence. For example, a repair may be described as satisfactory even when it is functional rather than outstanding. The word has a formal tone and is particularly common in assessments, professional reports, reviews, and institutional communication. It is also more specific than vague praise such as “nice” and more neutral than expressions suggesting that the result was highly enjoyable or impressive. Although generally straightforward in modern English, the adverb preserves the same core sense as “satisfactory”: enough has been done to satisfy a requirement.
adverbIn a way that meets the required standard or is sufficient to make a result acceptable.
- In a manner that meets the required standard or is sufficient to make a result acceptable.
"The repair resolved the problem satisfactorily, and the system has operated normally ever since."
"The candidate answered every question satisfactorily, despite the difficult conditions."
"Although the room was small, the hotel was clean and comfortably equipped, and the staff dealt with our requests satisfactorily."
Satisfactorily joins the Latin roots satis, “enough,” and facere, “to do,” so its core idea is “doing enough.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does satisfactorily come from?
The adverb was formed from “satisfactory” with the suffix “-ly.” “Satisfactory” comes from Latin satisfacere, a compound of satis, meaning “enough,” and facere, meaning “to do” or “to make.” The same Latin root underlies cognates including “satisfy,” “satisfied,” and “satisfaction.”
Related word forms
How satisfactorily is actually used
The adverb is formal and commonly appears in assessments, reports, and professional communication. It describes compliance with a standard rather than the emotional pleasure that would be expressed by “satisfyingly.”
Easily confused with satisfactorily
Satisfactorily means that something meets an adequate standard, whereas satisfyingly emphasizes the pleasure or emotional fulfillment it produces.