Satisfy Meaning
/ˈsætɪsfaɪ/Definition, CEFR level A2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
verbTo be enough (for)
verbTo be enough (for), To meet the needs of, to fulfill the wishes or requirements of (someone).
Sentence Examples
His explanation that a solution would take time didn't satisfy anyone.
It is difficult to satisfy everyone.
He now had enough money to satisfy all his desires.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The large portion of food was enough to ____ the hungry workers after the long shift.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The meal was large enough to ____ even the hungriest members of the hiking group.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English satisfyen, satisfien, from Old French satisfiier, satisfier (also Old French satisfaire), from Latin satisfacere, from satis (“enough, sufficient”) + faciō (“to make; to do”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Death shall […] with us two / Be forced to satisfy his ravenous maw."
— 1667, John Milton, “Book IX”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC:
"Now think of all the years you tried to
Find someone to satisfy you
I might be as crazy as you say
If I'm crazy then it's true
That it's all because of you
And you wouldn't want me any other way"
— 1980 March 7, Billy Joel, “You May Be Right”, in Glass Houses:
"I was resolved to satisfy myself whether this ragged Elijah was really dogging us or not, and with that intent crossed the way with Queequeg, and on that side of it retraced our steps."
— 1851 November 14, Herman Melville, chapter 19, in Moby-Dick; or, The Whale, 1st American edition, New York, N.Y.: Harper & Brothers; London: Richard Bentley, →OCLC:
"The Siamese officer and the Consul having satisfied themselves of the honest intentions of the applicant, will assist him..."
— 1856, “Treaty signed April 18, 1855; ratified April 5, 1856”, in Treaty of friendship and commerce between Great Britain and Siam, Bangkok: J. H. Chandler, page 9:
Explore More A2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The large portion of food was enough to ____ the hungry workers after the long shift.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The meal was large enough to ____ even the hungriest members of the hiking group.