acceptance

noun

uhk-SEP-tuhns/əkˈsɛp.təns/

Pluralacceptances (some meanings)

10 meanings of acceptance

1
noununcountable
Taking something that is offered, in a way that shows you are glad to have it.
Like opening your arms to welcome a friend at the door.
Her quick acceptance of the gift made everyone smile.
He showed his acceptance with a warm handshake and a nod.
Similarapproval, welcome, reception, adoption, embrace
Oppositerejection, refusal
Note
2
nouncountable or uncountable
The state of being welcomed or approved by other people.
Like finally being picked for the team after waiting on the side.
After years of feeling like an outsider, she finally found acceptance among her classmates.
Every child wants acceptance from the people around them.
Similarapproval, recognition, admission, inclusion
Oppositerejection, exclusion
Note
3
nouncountable or uncountable
Agreeing that an idea or fact is true or right.
Like nodding yes because you think someone is right.
Wide acceptance of the new theory took many years.
His acceptance of the plan surprised his coworkers.
Similarapproval, assent, endorsement, recognition, support
Oppositerejection, dissent, disbelief, opposition
4
nouncountable
A single time when someone takes or agrees to something offered.
Like saying yes to one specific invitation.
Her acceptance of the award was a proud moment for the family.
Each acceptance brought the deal one step closer.
Oppositerejection, refusal
5
nouncountable or uncountable
Saying yes to another person's offer in a way that makes a contract official.
Like shaking hands on a deal to make it final.
Her acceptance of the offer created a binding contract.
Without a clear acceptance, no agreement exists.
Similarassent
Oppositerejection
Note
6
nouncountable or uncountable
A promise by the person who must pay a bill of exchange to pay it when due, and the signed bill itself.
Like signing an IOU that says you will pay on a set day.
The merchant's acceptance guaranteed payment in ninety days.
He presented the acceptance to the bank for payment.
Note
7
nouncountable or uncountable
The usual meaning that people give to a word or phrase.
Like the meaning you find first when you look a word up.
In its common acceptance, 'cool' means slightly cold.
The word has a different acceptance among scientists.
Similarsense, meaning
8
nounUScountable or uncountable
The act of a government official agreeing that goods or services delivered meet a contract.
Like a teacher checking your work and marking it done.
The officer's acceptance of the supplies cleared the way for payment.
Final acceptance came after the equipment passed inspection.
Oppositerejection
Note
9
nounAustraliaNew Zealandcountable or uncountableplural
A list of the horses allowed to start in a race.
Like the starting list that shows who is running in a race.
The trainer checked the acceptance to see if his horse made the race.
Her colt's name appeared on the acceptance for Saturday's feature.
Note
10
nouncountable or uncountable
In optics, a measure of how spread out a beam of light is in both area and angle.
Like how wide a funnel's mouth is: a bigger mouth catches more.
A wider lens increases the acceptance of the system and lets in more light.
The acceptance of the fiber determines how much light it can gather.
Similaretendue
Note

Practice

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Origin

First seen in English in 1574. It comes from the French word for "accept," plus the ending "-ance."