Satisfactorily

Part of speech: adverb

Pronunciation: /sætɪsˈfækt(ə)ɹɪli/

Definitions

1. In a way that fulfills the necessary criteria and meets the expected level of quality or outcome, demonstrating an acceptable standard of performance
2. Achieved in a manner that adequately addresses the requirements and meets expectations, providing a level of quality that is deemed satisfactory
3. In a manner that effectively meets the outlined standards or expectations, resulting in a degree of success deemed acceptable by those evaluating it

Etymology: "Satisfactorily" is a plain formation: the adjective "satisfactory" with the adverbial suffix "-ly" added to it. The adjective itself comes from "satisfy," which entered English from Old French "satisfier," ultimately from Latin "satisfacere," meaning "to do enough." The Latin root combines "satis," "enough," with "facere," "to make or do," so the core idea is making something sufficient. The suffix is the older and more interesting part of the story. The "-ly" ending descends from an Old English form, "-līċe," which was itself built from a noun meaning "body" or "form" combined with an adjective-making element, so that "-līċe" originally described a manner or appearance. Over the centuries it wore down to "-ly" and became the default way to turn adjectives into adverbs. Because of that, "satisfactorily" is one of countless English adverbs that carry the same ancient ending.

Synonyms: adequately, acceptably

Antonyms: unsatisfactorily, inadequately