satisfied

Meanings

1. 1adjectivecomparable

   Pleased because something you wanted or expected has happened or been provided.

   Grammar: Used after be or before a noun, often with with: satisfied with the result.

   Patterns

   • be satisfied with something
   • a satisfied customer

   The customers were satisfied with the quick service.

   She felt satisfied after finishing the long hike.

   He gave a satisfied smile when the cake rose.

2. 2adjectiveafter a verbformal

   Convinced that something is true or has been done properly after checking.

   Grammar: Often followed by that or of: satisfied that the work was correct.

   Patterns

   • be satisfied that something
   • be satisfied of something

   The judge was satisfied that the evidence was reliable.

   I am not satisfied that the problem is fixed.

   Inspectors must be satisfied of the building's safety before it opens.

3. 3adjectiveafter a verb

   Having had enough of food or drink, with hunger or thirst fully met.

   Grammar: Describes a person after a meal: feel satisfied.

   Patterns

   • feel satisfied

   After the second bowl of soup, the child felt satisfied.

   The dog looked satisfied after its walk and dinner.

Word forms

Common combinations

satisfied with

Are you satisfied with your new phone?

completely satisfied

We were completely satisfied with the hotel.

satisfied customer

A satisfied customer often tells friends about a shop.

far from satisfied

The manager was far from satisfied with the report.

feel satisfied

I feel satisfied after a long day of work.

satisfied that

The committee was satisfied that the rules had been followed.

Synonyms and how they differ

content

Content suggests a calm acceptance of what you have, while satisfied implies a need has been met.

pleased

Pleased is happy about a specific thing, and it does not imply that expectations were fully met.

fulfilled

Fulfilled describes a deeper sense of purpose, whereas satisfied is about meeting a want.

convinced

Convinced stresses certainty about the truth of something, similar to the second sense of satisfied.

Opposites

Word family

satisfy verb

to meet a need or want

satisfaction noun

the feeling of being satisfied

satisfying adjective

giving pleasure by meeting a need

dissatisfied adjective

not pleased

satisfactory adjective

good enough

Commonly confused: satisfied or satisfying?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “satisfied”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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