satisfy
B2 (Upper Intermediate)Neutral to Formal. Common in both spoken and written language across contexts.
Definition
Meaning
To meet or fulfill a need, desire, condition, or requirement.
To provide sufficient evidence, answers, or payment; to make someone feel contented or convinced.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word often implies a standard or expectation that is being met. It focuses on the action of fulfillment and can be applied to abstract (desires, curiosity) and concrete (requirements, debts) objects.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core usage. Minor spelling in derived forms (e.g., 'satisfying' vs. 'satisfying' is same).
Connotations
Neutral in both varieties.
Frequency
Comparably frequent in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[sb] satisfies [sb/sth][sth] satisfies [sb/sth][sb] satisfies [sb] that...[sb/sth] satisfies [sb] of [sth]to satisfy [sb] (that...) to do [sth]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Satisfy the examiners (BrE, formal/pass an exam)”
- “To satisfy one's conscience (to do what one believes is right)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used for meeting customer needs, contractual conditions, or quality standards. 'The new software must satisfy all client specifications.'
Academic
Used for meeting criteria, proving theorems, or answering research questions. 'The data did not satisfy the assumptions for the statistical test.'
Everyday
Used for fulfilling personal desires, hunger, or curiosity. 'This meal will satisfy your hunger.'
Technical
In mathematics/logic: to make an equation or condition true. 'Find the values of x that satisfy the inequality.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The explanation failed to satisfy the committee.
- You must satisfy all the entry requirements.
- A quick snack will satisfy me until dinner.
American English
- The evidence didn't satisfy the jury.
- We need to satisfy the conditions of the loan.
- Just one cookie won't satisfy my sweet tooth.
adverb
British English
- He nodded satisfyingly as the plan worked.
- The meal was satisfyingly large.
American English
- The puzzle fit satisfyingly into place.
- She solved the problem satisfyingly quickly.
adjective
British English
- The satisfying crunch of fresh vegetables.
- He gave a satisfied nod after reading the report.
American English
- A satisfying conclusion to the movie series.
- She felt satisfied with her performance.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The toy satisfied the child.
- Eat an apple to satisfy your hunger.
- The hotel satisfied all our needs.
- His answer did not satisfy the teacher.
- The company must satisfy strict safety regulations.
- Can you provide evidence to satisfy the court?
- The complex model must satisfy multiple, often conflicting, parameters.
- Her intellectual curiosity was never fully satisfied by simplistic explanations.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of SATIS (enough in Latin) + FY (to make). To make enough for someone.
Conceptual Metaphor
SATISFACTION IS FULFILLMENT (filling a container), SATISFACTION IS QUIETING A DESIRE (silencing a voice).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating directly from 'удовлетворять' in all contexts; 'satisfy' is less common for emotional states than 'please' or 'make happy'. For physical needs like hunger, 'satisfy' is fine.
- Do not confuse with 'to suit' (подходить). 'This job satisfies me' implies it meets your needs/standards, not that it fits you well.
Common Mistakes
- *I am satisfied with the answer (Correct). *I satisfy with the answer (Incorrect - wrong voice).
- Using 'satisfy' transitively without an object: *The food was very satisfying *for me (Correct: ...to me / for me is context-dependent).
Practice
Quiz
In a legal context, 'to satisfy the court' most closely means:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Satisfy' focuses on meeting a standard, need, or condition. 'Please' focuses more on giving enjoyment or happiness. You can satisfy a requirement (not please it), and you can please a person by being charming, which may not satisfy any specific need.
Yes, very commonly. The adjective 'satisfied' (feeling content) and the passive voice 'be satisfied by/with' are frequent. E.g., 'I am satisfied with the service.'
Primarily, yes. It describes a state of fulfillment. While it can be used in progressive forms in specific contexts (e.g., 'We are satisfying customer demands'), it's more common in simple tenses.
It is neutral. It is appropriate in everyday conversation ('That sandwich satisfied me') and in formal, technical, or legal documents ('The applicant must satisfy the board of their qualifications').