How to pronounce satisfactory
Say it like sat-us-FAK-tree. Satisfactory has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (FAK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce satisfactory. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- sat
- us
- FAK
- tree
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Satisfactory pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- satGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- usKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- FAKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- treeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of satisfactory
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: sat-is-FAK-tree.
What does satisfactory mean?
- giving satisfaction“satisfactory living conditions”“his grades were satisfactory”
- meeting requirements“the step makes a satisfactory seat”“I would kill for a decent cup of coffee”
Where does satisfactory come from?
Borrowed from Middle French satisfactoire, from Late Latin satisfactōrius, from Latin satisfactus, past participle of satisfaciō.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying satisfactory
How do you pronounce satisfactory?
Say sat-us-FAK-tree. The American pronunciation is /ˌsætəsˈfæktri/. In British English it is /ˌsætɪsˈfæktri/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in satisfactory?
Satisfactory has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (FAK). Broken into parts: sat · us · FAK · tree.
Is satisfactory pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /ˌsætɪsˈfæktri/ (sat-is-FAK-tree).