passable
adjective
pass·able ˈpa-sə-bəl 
1
a
: capable of being passed, crossed, or traveled on
passable roads
b
: capable of being freely circulated
2
: good enough : adequate
passably
ˈpa-sə-blē
adverb 
Synonyms
- navigable
- negotiable
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The main road is passable but most others are still covered with snow. The river is passable during the summer months. He did a passable job with the assignment. She plays passable golf but prefers tennis.
Recent Examples on the Web The attack would happen in the winter so that the hard earth would make the terrain easily passable for tanks. 
Liz Sly, Washington Post, 16 Aug. 2022 The Hollywood Reporter noted that the $90 million Batgirl had one test screening with unfinished effects that received a middling but passable grade. Richard Newby, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Aug. 2022 Rescue crews in Virginia and West Virginia worked to reach people where roads weren't passable. Arkansas Online, 31 July 2022 Rescue crews in Virginia and West Virginia worked to reach people where roads weren’t passable. BostonGlobe.com, 30 July 2022 Rescue crews in Virginia and West Virginia worked to reach people where roads weren’t passable. Dylan Lovan, Bruce Schreiner And Matthew Brown, Anchorage Daily News, 30 July 2022 While editor Julian Chokkattu says the sound quality is passable, the convenience of never needing to track down a cable for your shower tunes might just outweigh the lack of room-filling sound. Parker Hall, Wired, 12 July 2022 Rescue crews in Virginia and West Virginia worked to reach people where roads weren't passable. Arkansas Online, 31 July 2022 Rescue crews in Virginia and West Virginia worked to reach people where roads weren’t passable. BostonGlobe.com, 30 July 2022 See More
Liz Sly, Washington Post, 16 Aug. 2022 The Hollywood Reporter noted that the $90 million Batgirl had one test screening with unfinished effects that received a middling but passable grade. Richard Newby, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Aug. 2022 Rescue crews in Virginia and West Virginia worked to reach people where roads weren't passable. Arkansas Online, 31 July 2022 Rescue crews in Virginia and West Virginia worked to reach people where roads weren’t passable. BostonGlobe.com, 30 July 2022 Rescue crews in Virginia and West Virginia worked to reach people where roads weren’t passable. Dylan Lovan, Bruce Schreiner And Matthew Brown, Anchorage Daily News, 30 July 2022 While editor Julian Chokkattu says the sound quality is passable, the convenience of never needing to track down a cable for your shower tunes might just outweigh the lack of room-filling sound. Parker Hall, Wired, 12 July 2022 Rescue crews in Virginia and West Virginia worked to reach people where roads weren't passable. Arkansas Online, 31 July 2022 Rescue crews in Virginia and West Virginia worked to reach people where roads weren’t passable. BostonGlobe.com, 30 July 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Kids Definition
passable
adjective
pass·able ˈpa-sə-bəl
1
: fit to be traveled on
passable roads
2
: barely good enough
Meg's hair had been passable as long as she wore it tidily in braids. Madeleine L'Engle, A Wrinkle in Time
Madeleine L'Engle, A Wrinkle in Timepassable
adjective
1
as in navigable
capable of being traveled on after the snowstorm ends, the roads might not be passable for the morning ride to school Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- navigable
- cleared
- negotiable
- clear
- unobstructed
- unclogged
- free
- open
- unstopped
- unclosed
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- impassable
- impassible
- blocked
- congested
- stopped (up)
- unpassable
- clogged
- closed
- choked
- obstructed
- dammed
- stuffed
- jammed
- unnegotiable
- plugged (up)
- blockaded
- barricaded
2
as in penetrable
capable of being passed into or through the jungle is not passable without a machete Synonyms & Similar Words
- penetrable
- porous
- permeable
- pervious
- absorbent
- breathable
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- impassable
- impenetrable
- impervious
- impermeable
- impassible
- watertight
- dense
- thick
- airtight
- compact
- close
- nonporous
3
as in decent
of a level of quality that meets one's needs or standards that's a passable paper Synonyms & Similar Words
- decent
- adequate
- satisfactory
- fine
- good
- acceptable
- serviceable
- okay
- respectable
- tolerable
- useful
- suitable
- OK
- fairish
- mediocre
- all right
- minimal
- bearable
- worthy
- endurable
- middling
- agreeable
- average
- satisfying
- up to snuff
- so-so
- ordinary
- unexceptional
- appropriate
- standard
- fitting
- fair
- indifferent
- proper
- sufferable
- correct
- common
- second-rate
- meet
- right
- due
- run-of-the-mill
- run-of-the-mine
- seemly
- gratifying
- run-of-mine
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- lacking
- inadequate
- unsatisfactory
- insufficient
- unacceptable
- deficient
- useless
- unsuitable
- bad
- imperfect
- unfit
- disagreeable
- cheap
- wrong
- improper
- objectionable
- shoddy
- unworthy
- defective
- indecent
- incomplete
- pitiful
- wanting
- poor
- short
- insufficient
- lamentable
- faulty
- meager
- shabby
- skimpy
- scanty
- meagre
- atrocious
- spare
- great
- unbearable
- mean
- intolerable
- insufferable
- disreputable
- execrable
- miserly
- superior
- exceptional
- stingy
- dissatisfying
- miserable
- unendurable
- wretched
- superb
- special
- optimal
- splendid
- maximum
- terrific
- exquisite
- extreme
- optimum
- supreme
- peerless
- stellar
- vile
- superlative
- fancy
- wonderful
- prime
- divine
- neat
- marvelous
- classic
- unparalleled
- matchless
- noble
- premium
- unmatched
- dandy
- par excellence
- fabulous
- sensational
- top
- heavenly
- marvellous
- sterling
- unsurpassed
- swell
- grand
- nifty
- mean
- keen
- preeminent
- niggardly
- first-rate
- top-notch
- first-class
- banner
- capital
- high-grade
- maximized
- boss
- crackerjack
- tip-top
- groovy
- bang-up
- supernal
- jim-dandy
- A1
4
as in satisfactory
of average to below average quality the actor's Scottish accent is passable at best Synonyms & Similar Words
- decent
- satisfactory
- mediocre
- middling
- medium
- adequate
- ordinary
- so-so
- acceptable
- fair
- reasonable
- nice
- indifferent
- respectable
- common
- sufficient
- good
- tolerable
- second-rate
- alright
- fine
- run-of-the-mill
- run-of-the-mine
- modest
- second-class
- moderate
- presentable
- minimal
- okay
- run-of-mine
- unexceptional
- sufficing
- all right
- OK
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- excellent
- great
- outstanding
- superior
- superb
- splendid
- terrific
- exceptional
- special
- superlative
- stellar
- optimal
- maximum
- prime
- distinguished
- fantastic
- marvelous
- classic
- optimum
- exquisite
- peerless
- supreme
- par excellence
- marvellous
- choice
- sensational
- fabulous
- top
- sterling
- matchless
- swell
- nifty
- grand
- first-rate
- top-notch
- preeminent
- capital
- lacking
- inadequate
- first-class
- unparalleled
- unsurpassed
- tip-top
- unmatched
- unsatisfactory
- insufficient
- unacceptable
- deficient
- number one
- A1
- No. 1
- wanting
- round clam
- round dance
- round file
- round game
- round hand
- round haul net
- round haul seine
- round heart disease
- round herring
- round in
- round iron
- poiska
- poison
- poison arum
- poison ash
- poison bean
- poison black cherry
- poison bulb
- poison bush
- poison camas
- poison circle
- poison claw
- poison creeper
- poison cup
- poison darnel