okay

Examples

• All

• It's okay when I'm with you, but as soon as I leave--

  Jack Be Nimble (1993)

• - I think she'll be able to see okay from here.

  Straw Dogs (1971)

• - Is it okay if I sleep in your room tonight?

  He's Watching (2022)

• Also, it is considered okay to eat in class while the class is going on.

  Academic text (2008)

• I guess this would be okay, but even the students call me Mrs. Perfect.

  Academic text (1991)

• Is it okay if she sets up in your lab?

  Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

• Appears to me that everything's okay, though.

  Unfavorable Odds (2022)

• Asking students and their parents what is okay (and not okay) to share with peers is especially important.

  Academic text (2013)

• I-I'm sure they'll be okay with it.

  Lisa Frankenstein (2024)

• It is considered okay to eat in class while the class is going on.

Synonyms

F

fine

vsokay

∞ 1.0

In good enough condition so no one needs to worry

is equivalent but framed as a plain, everyday judgment of adequacy

A

all right

vsokay

∞ 1.0

Feeling healthy or good enough to use

is the same idea but defined as slightly less formal

C

cool

vsokay

• Informal

∞ 2.8

Acceptable and good enough for the situation

is the standard, neutral assessment rather than informal praise

O

OK

vsokay

∞ 1.0

Good enough for the purpose you need

is the full word form rather than the uppercase abbreviation

G

good enough

vsokay

675 1.9

Not perfect but good for what you need

expresses the same basic idea but as a general state

D

decent

vsokay

526 2.3

Good enough in quality to meet normal needs

is more neutral, stressing simple acceptability rather than praise

A

acceptable

vsokay

392 2.5

Good enough for a particular use or standard

is more general, describing simple adequacy without formal standards

F

fair

vsokay

328 1.0

Average in quality or amount, neither very good nor bad

is positive about being satisfactory rather than merely average

A

all good

vsokay

• Informal

251 5.4

Everything is fine with no problems or worries

is a simple assessment of acceptability rather than broad reassurance

A

adequate

vsokay

204 2.7

Enough in amount or quality to meet a need

focuses on general acceptability rather than strictly meeting requirements

S

satisfactory

vsokay

73 2.3

Good enough to meet a need but not very good

is similar but emphasizes general acceptability over meeting criteria

A

alright

vsokay

• Informal

23 1.1

In a way that is good enough but not very good

is the neutral evaluation rather than informal phrasing

O

ok

vsokay

22 1.0

Good enough but not very good

is the full word form rather than the short lowercase spelling

S

so-so

vsokay

19 3.0

Neither good nor bad

is more positively framed as acceptable rather than merely mediocre

H

hunky-dory

vsokay

• Informal

13 7.9

In a good state without any problems

is the neutral term for acceptability rather than cheerful slang

P

passable

vsokay

11 4.4

Good enough but not very good

is equivalent but often used in more general descriptions

M

middling

vsokay

10 4.6

Having average quality, neither very good nor very bad

expresses acceptability with a slightly more positive stance

I

indifferent

vsokay

5 4.4

Only average and not very good

is a plain positive judgment that accepts flaws without indifference

F

fair to middling

vsokay

• Archaic

1 6.9

Medium quality, neither very good nor very bad

is modern neutral approval rather than a dated average description

G

goodish

vsokay

1 5.0

A bit more than average in size, amount, or quality

leans more neutral, focusing on basic acceptability rather than relative goodness

Antonyms

P

poor

555 1.0

Not good enough in quality or amount

U

unacceptable

218 3.2

Not good enough or not allowed by rules

How Good

excellent

∞ 1.0

good

∞ 1.0

okay

∞ 1.0

decent

526 2.3

adequate

204 2.7

Surface Forms

Etymology