What does "acceptance" mean?
The act of accepting; the receiving of something offered, with acquiescence, approbation, or satisfaction; especially, favourable reception; approval.
Acceptance
/əkˈsɛp.təns/ noun
noun ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The act of accepting; the receiving of something offered, with acquiescence, approbation, or satisfaction; especially, favourable reception; approval.
- Grammar: acceptance is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: accept responsibility, acceptance bill, acceptation, acceptation.
- Useful contrasts: ceremonial decline, emphatic denial, intense aversion.
- Usage evidence: The theory will find general acceptance.
How to use "acceptance"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "acceptance" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "acceptance" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "acceptance" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "acceptance" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "acceptance" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "accept responsibility" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "acceptance", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The act of accepting; the receiving of something offered, with acquiescence, approbation, or satisfaction; especially, favourable reception; approval. uncountable
"the acceptance of a gift, office, doctrine, etc."
- 2 the act of taking something that is offered wordnet
- 3 An instance of that act. countable
- 4 the act of accepting with approval; favorable reception wordnet
- 5 Belief in something; agreement, assent. countable, uncountable
Show 12 more definitions
- 6 a disposition to tolerate or accept people or situations wordnet
- 7 The state of being accepted. countable, uncountable
"The warrant I haue of your Honourable Diſpoſition, not the Worth of my vntutor'd Lines makes it aſſured of acceptance."
- 8 the mental attitude that something is believable and should be accepted as true wordnet
- 9 The usual or accepted meaning of a word or expression. countable, uncountable
- 10 (contract law) words signifying consent to the terms of an offer (thereby creating a contract) wordnet
- 11 An assent and engagement by the person on whom a bill of exchange is drawn, to pay it when due according to the terms of the acceptance; the bill of exchange itself when accepted. countable, uncountable
- 12 a time draft drawn on and accepted by a bank wordnet
- 13 An agreeing to the action, proposals, or terms of another by some act which results in the conclusion of a legally binding contract; the reception or taking of a thing bought as that for which it was bought, or as that agreed to be delivered, or the taking of possession of a thing as owner. countable, uncountable
"But what acts shall amount to such an acceptance is often a question of great nicety and difficulty."
- 14 the state of being acceptable and accepted wordnet
- 15 The act of an authorized representative of the government by which the government assents to ownership of existing and identified supplies, or approves specific services rendered, as partial or complete performance of a contract. US, countable, uncountable
- 16 A list of horses accepted as starters in a race. Australia, New-Zealand, countable, plural, plural-only, uncountable
- 17 Synonym of etendue. countable, uncountable
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
ceremonial declineemphatic denialintense aversionpolite decline
Example
"The theory will find general acceptance."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "acceptance"?
Common synonyms include: accept responsibility, acceptance bill, acceptation, acceptation, accepting, acception.
How do you use "acceptance" in a sentence?
The theory will find general acceptance.
How do you pronounce "acceptance"?
Pronounced /əkˈsɛp.təns/.
Etymology
* First attested in 1574. From Middle French acceptance, from Old French accepter (“accept”). Equivalent to accept + -ance.