English Dictionary

Definition of “satisfy

satisfy (ˈsætɪsˌfaɪPronunciation for satisfy

Definitions

verb

(mainly tr)
  1. (also intr) to fulfil the desires or needs of (a person)
  2. to provide amply for (a need or desire)
  3. to relieve of doubt; convince
  4. to dispel (a doubt)
  5. to make reparation to or for
  6. to discharge or pay off (a debt) to (a creditor)
  7. to fulfil the requirements of; comply with  ⇒ you must satisfy the terms of your lease 
  8. mathematics logic to fulfil the conditions of (a theorem, assumption, etc); to yield a truth by substitution of the given value  ⇒ x = 3 satisfies x² – 4x + 3 = 0 

Alternative Forms

ˈsatisˌfiable adjective ˈsatisˌfier noun ˈsatisˌfying adjective ˈsatisˌfyingly adverb

Word Origin

C15: from Old French satisfier,  from Latin satisfacere,  from satis  enough + facere to make, do

Usage examples

  • Not strong enough for me to go to any trouble to satisfy it.
    Hilton, John Buxton, Moondrop to Murder (1986)
  • I did that, she says, and I'm still not getting enough sex to satisfy me.
    Maxim (2004)
  • On the other, he had to satisfy sceptical sentiment within his party.
    Irish Times (2002)
  • Yes, some lenders will allow you to have two mortgages at the same time provided you can satisfy certain conditions.
    Glasgow Herald (2001)
  • Other people want to know how to mimic them; editors want to satisfy this demand.
    John Cassidy, DOT.CON (2001)

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