Cool MateAcceptable vs Reasonable
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Acceptable
Top 2,000 (common)B2adjective
Reasonable
Top 2,000 (common)B2adjective
| Acceptable | Reasonable | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əkˈseptəbl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əkˈseptəbl/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈriːznəbl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈriːznəbl/"]/ |
| Meaning | Okay or good enough to be used. | Fair and sensible; not extreme. |
| Example | The noise level in the library is not acceptable for studying. | It is reasonable to assume that the meeting will start on time. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | B2 |
| Part of speech | adjective | adjective |
| Collocations | be, prove, seem, highly, very, completely, to, the boundaries of acceptable…, the bounds of acceptable…, the limits of acceptable…, be, prove, seem, highly, very, completely, to, the boundaries of acceptable…, the bounds of acceptable…, the limits of acceptable… | appear, be, look, extremely, fairly, very, appear, be, look, extremely, fairly, very, appear, be, look, extremely, fairly, very |
| Antonyms | unacceptable, unsatisfactory, poor | unreasonable, irrational, excessive |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'acceptable' vs 'accepted'., Using 'acceptable' as a noun incorrectly., Overusing 'acceptable' in contexts that require stronger words like 'excellent' or 'outstanding'. | Confused with 'rational' which is more about logic than fairness., Using 'reasonable' to describe an extreme opinion or action., Incorrectly spelling it as 'resonable'. |
| Usage notes | Used in both spoken and written contexts to indicate something that meets necessary standards. It can be formal in academic contexts and more casual in everyday conversations. Avoid in circumstances that require high standards or exceptional quality. | Typically used to describe actions, opinions, or decisions that are logical. Avoid in overly emotional contexts or when discussing extreme views. |
Frequently asked questions: Acceptable vs Reasonable
What's the difference between Acceptable and Reasonable?
Acceptable: Okay or good enough to be used. Reasonable: Fair and sensible; not extreme.
Are Acceptable and Reasonable the same CEFR level?
Acceptable: B2, Reasonable: B2 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Acceptable and Reasonable interchangeably?
Not always. Acceptable and Reasonable are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.