Passable — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈpa-sə-bəl/ pass·able

Meaning & Definition of Passable

Passable (adjective)

  1. capable of being passed, crossed, or traveled on
  2. capable of being freely circulated
  3. good enough, adequate

Passable (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. capable of being traveled on

    "after the snowstorm ends, the roads might not be passable for the morning ride to school"

    similar: navigable, negotiable
    related: clear, cleared, free, open, unclogged, unclosed, unobstructed, unstopped
    opposite: impassable, unnegotiable, unpassable
    near: blocked, choked, clogged, closed, congested, dammed, jammed, obstructed, plugged (up), stopped (up), stuffed, barricaded, blockaded

  2. capable of being passed into or through

    "the jungle is not passable without a machete"

    similar: penetrable, permeable, pervious, porous
    related: absorbent, breathable
    opposite: impassable, impenetrable, impermeable, impervious, nonporous
    near: airtight, watertight, close, compact, dense, thick

  3. of a level of quality that meets one's needs or standards

    "that's a passable paper"

    similar: acceptable, adequate, all right, decent, fairish, fine, good, OK, respectable, satisfactory, serviceable, tolerable, up to snuff
    related: agreeable, bearable, endurable, sufferable, average, fair, indifferent, mediocre, middling, minimal, common, ordinary, run-of-the-mill, run-of-the-mine, second-rate, so-so, standard, unexceptional, appropriate, correct, due, fitting, meet, proper, right, seemly, suitable, useful, worthy, gratifying, satisfying
    opposite: deficient, inadequate, insufficient, lacking, unacceptable, unsatisfactory, wanting
    near: disagreeable, disreputable, improper, indecent, objectionable, unfit, unsuitable, unworthy, useless, wrong, bad, cheap, defective, faulty, imperfect, incomplete, lamentable, pitiful, shoddy, dissatisfying, insufficient, meager, mean, miserly, poor, scanty, shabby, short, skimpy, spare, stingy, insufferable, intolerable, unbearable, unendurable, atrocious, execrable, miserable, vile, wretched, exceptional, exquisite, extreme, fancy, first-class, high-grade, matchless, maximized, maximum, optimal, optimum, peerless, preeminent, premium, special, supreme, unmatched, unparalleled, A1, bang-up, banner, boss (slang), capital, classic, crackerjack, dandy, divine, fabulous, first-rate, grand, great, groovy, heavenly, jim-dandy, keen, marvelous, neat, nifty, noble, par excellence, prime, sensational, splendid, stellar, sterling, superb, superior, superlative, supernal, swell, terrific, tip-top, top, top-notch, unsurpassed, wonderful

  4. of average to below average quality

    "the actor's Scottish accent is passable at best"

    similar: common, fair, indifferent, mediocre, medium, middling, ordinary, run-of-the-mill, run-of-the-mine, second-class, second-rate, so-so
    related: acceptable, adequate, all right, alright, decent, OK, reasonable, satisfactory, sufficient, sufficing, tolerable, moderate, modest, presentable, respectable, minimal, unexceptional, fine, good, nice
    near: A1, capital, choice, classic, distinguished, excellent, exceptional, exquisite, fabulous, fantastic, first-class, first-rate, grand, great, marvelous, matchless, maximum, nifty, number one, optimal, optimum, outstanding, par excellence, peerless, preeminent, prime, sensational, special, splendid, stellar, sterling, superb, superior, superlative, supreme, swell, terrific, tip-top, top, top-notch, unmatched, unparalleled, unsurpassed, deficient, inadequate, insufficient, lacking, unacceptable, unsatisfactory, wanting

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Passable

The most common words with a similar meaning to Passable:

navigable, negotiable, penetrable, permeable, pervious, porous, acceptable, adequate, all right, decent, fairish, fine, good, OK, respectable, satisfactory, serviceable, tolerable, common, fair, indifferent, mediocre, medium, middling, ordinary, run-of-the-mill, run-of-the-mine, second-class, second-rate, so-so, up to snuff

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Passable

Words with the opposite meaning of Passable:

impassable, unnegotiable, unpassable, impenetrable, impermeable, impervious, nonporous, deficient, inadequate, insufficient, lacking, unacceptable, unsatisfactory, wanting

Related Words for Passable

clear, cleared, free, open, unclogged, unclosed, unobstructed, unstopped, absorbent, breathable, agreeable, bearable, endurable, sufferable, average, minimal, standard, unexceptional, appropriate, correct, due, fitting, meet, proper, right, seemly, suitable, useful, worthy, gratifying

Near Antonyms of Passable

blocked, choked, clogged, closed, congested, dammed, jammed, obstructed, plugged (up), stopped (up), stuffed, barricaded, blockaded, airtight, watertight, close, compact, dense, thick, disagreeable, disreputable, improper, indecent, objectionable, unfit, unsuitable, unworthy, useless, wrong, bad

Word Forms of Passable

Derived words: passably (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Passable

First known use: 15th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Passable

What does "Passable" mean?

"Passable" means capable of being passed, crossed, or traveled on. As an adjective, it is defined as: capable of being passed, crossed, or traveled on. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Passable"?

Other words for "Passable" include navigable, negotiable, penetrable, permeable, pervious, porous, acceptable and adequate. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Passable" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Passable"?

There are 70 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Passable". Common alternatives include navigable, negotiable, penetrable, permeable, pervious, porous, acceptable, adequate, all right and decent.

What is the opposite of "Passable"?

Antonyms of "Passable" include impassable, unnegotiable, unpassable, impenetrable, impermeable, impervious, nonporous and deficient. Near antonyms include blocked, choked, clogged and closed.

How do you use "Passable" in a sentence?

Examples of "Passable" in a sentence: "after the snowstorm ends, the roads might not be passable for the morning ride to school"; "the jungle is not passable without a machete"; "that's a passable paper".

Is "Passable" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Passable" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Passable"?

"Passable" is pronounced /ˈpa-sə-bəl/ and divided into syllables as pass·able.

What is the origin of the word "Passable"?

First known use: 15th century.