different between satisfactory vs alright

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French satisfactoire, from Late Latin satisfact?rius, from Latin satisfactus, past participle of satisfaci?.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /sæt?s?fækt(?)?i/
• Rhymes: -ækt??i

Adjective

satisfactory (comparative more satisfactory, superlative most satisfactory)

1. Done to satisfaction; adequate or sufficient.

   The satisfactory results of the survey led to his promotion.
2. Causing satisfaction; agreeable or pleasant; satisfying.
3. (theology) Making atonement for a sin; expiatory.

Usage notes

Although structurally similar (both being derived from satisfy and describing that which produces satisfaction), satisfactory (def. 1) and satisfying differ in connotation. Satisfactory connotes "adequate, conforming to standards," while satisfying connotes "pleasing, or sufficient to remove any feeling of lack." An answer to a question or the outcome of a situation, for example, could be satisfactory without being satisfying, if it met the requirements but left one wanting more.

Derived terms

• satisfactorily (adv)
• unsatisfactory (adj)

Related terms

• satisfaction (n)
• satisfied (adj)

Translations

English

Alternative forms

• all right
• aight (AAVE, UK)
• awright
• oright

Etymology

From all +? right. Compare Old English eallriht (“all-right, just, exactly”), equivalent to al- (“all”) +? right.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /??l??a?t/, /???a?t/
• Rhymes: -a?t

Adjective

alright (not comparable)

1. (often proscribed) Alternative form of all right; satisfactory; okay; in acceptable order.

   Synonyms: acceptable, adequate, fine; see also Thesaurus:satisfactory

   • 1662 : Cantus, songs and fancies, to three, four, or five parts, both apt for voices and viols : with a brief introduction to musick, as is taught by Thomas Davidson, in the Musick-School of Aberdene by Thomas Davidson, iii. sig. B/1

     Where ever I go, both to and fro

     You have my heart alright.

   • 1922 : Ulysses by James Joyce, chapter 18

     …if I went by his advices every blessed hat I put on does that suit me yes take that thats alright the one like a wedding cake standing up miles off my head…

   • 1932 : "Goodbye, Christ" by Langston Hughes

     You did alright in your day, I reckon—

     But that day's gone now.

   • 1939 : Finnegans Wake by James Joyce, chapter 1.40

     Bladyughfoulmoecklenburgwhurawhorascortastrumpapornanennykocksapastippatappatupperstrippuckputtanach, eh? You have it alright.

   • 2000 : House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski, page 105

     "You're alright Johnny," she said in a way that actually made him feel alright. At least for a little while.

Interjection

alright

1. (informal) Used to indicate acknowledgement or acceptance; OK.
2. (Britain, informal) A generic greeting; hello; how are you.

   Synonyms: see Thesaurus:hello

Related terms

• (greeting): alright me babber, alright me lover

Derived terms

• alrighty

Usage notes

• Some distinguish between alright and all right by using alright to mean "fine, good, okay" and all right to mean "all correct". Alternatively (or in addition to the previous), Alright may be used as an interjection akin to "OK", whilst all right is used in the sense of "unharmed, healthy".
• The contracted term is considered nonstandard by Garner's Modern American Usage and American Heritage Dictionary. Indeed, the Oxford English Dictionary notes that although analogous forms exist in words such as already, altogether, and always, "the contracted form is strongly criticized in the vast majority of usage guides, but without cogent reasons". The Oxford Dictionaries also conclude that "alright remains nonstandard" and that it is "still regarded as being unacceptable in formal writing". Other dictionaries and style manuals also consider it incorrect or less correct than all right.

Descendants

• ? Afrikaans: oraait

References