What does satisfied mean?
Satisfied means having one's needs, wishes, expectations, or concerns adequately met. A person may be satisfied with a meal, a service, an arrangement, or the outcome of an investigation, feeling that what was received is sufficient or acceptable. It can also express conviction, as in "satisfied that the problem had been solved." As a verb, satisfied means to provide enough of what someone wants or to meet a condition: a resolution satisfied both parties, while the answer satisfied the examiner. The word is widely used in everyday speech, business, journalism, and formal writing. It often conveys calm contentment or acceptance rather than the stronger excitement associated with delighted or thrilled. However, it can occasionally imply a merely adequate result, especially in expressions such as "satisfied with the minimum." Its usefulness lies in its ability to describe both a person's emotional state and the act of fulfilling a need or requirement.
Having one's needs, wishes, expectations, or concerns met; feeling content, reassured, or convinced.
"After reviewing the revised contract, both directors were satisfied that the terms were fair."
Often followed by "with" for contentment or approval of something, and by "that" for conviction or reassurance.
To provide enough of what someone needs or wants, or to meet a requirement, condition, or standard.
"The generous donation satisfied the library's need for new books."
This is the simple past tense and past participle of satisfy; the base form is "satisfy."
Satisfied comes from a remarkably literal idea: doing enough.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does satisfied come from?
Satisfied entered Middle English in the early 14th century from Old French satisfaire, ultimately from Latin satisfacere. Satisfacere was formed from satis, meaning "enough," and facere, meaning "to do" or "to make," so its literal sense was "to do enough." The English adjective and participle developed from this source, as did related forms including satisfy, satisfaction, satisfactory, and satisfying.
How satisfied is actually used
The word is neutral in register and common in both formal and informal English. It can suggest adequacy or contentment without implying intense enthusiasm; phrases such as "satisfied customer" are conventional in business and service contexts. In the construction "satisfied that," it expresses confidence that something is true.
Easily confused with satisfied
Satisfied describes a person who feels content or considers a situation adequate, whereas satisfying describes something that gives another person pleasure or fulfilment.