satisfy
satisfy — verb
1. to provide whatever a person is looking for, leaving them with a feeling of plea
to provide whatever a person is looking for, leaving them with a feeling of pleasure or contentment — for instance, handling a customer's request well, or answering a child's questions about how something works.
The hotel's friendly service satisfied every guest at the business conference.
satisfy + noun phrase (person as object)
A short apology from his brother satisfied Darius and ended their argument.
compound verb: satisfied + ended
What satisfied the guests most was the wide variety of local dishes.
Christopher's endless questions about the old house did not satisfy his teacher.
Will this amount of cake satisfy everyone at the party?
- dissatisfy
make someone unhappy or discontent
- disappoint
fail to meet someone's hopes or expectations
文法句型
satisfy + noun phrase (person or feeling as object)
用法筆記
The object is usually a person, a desire, or a feeling such as curiosity or hunger. This sense is about creating a positive emotional response, not just meeting a formal requirement.
常見錯誤
2. to have or supply enough of whatever is required — for example, fulfilling a con
to have or supply enough of whatever is required — for example, fulfilling a condition for a loan, or matching the demands of a busy job.
The applicant's qualifications satisfied all the requirements for the teaching job.
satisfy + requirements (formal criteria)
The charity's food supply did not satisfy the growing demand for meals.
satisfy + demand (quantity/need)
Gita's test scores satisfied the university's entry conditions for the programme.
The new factory must satisfy strict environmental rules before it can open.
Heloísa's income barely satisfied the bank's conditions for a home loan.
- meet
slightly more general; very common in everyday use for requirements and standards
- fulfil
strongly suggests completing or carrying out an expectation or duty
- comply with
formal; implies following rules or regulations
- fail
not reach the required standard or level
文法句型
satisfy + noun phrase (requirement/need/condition/demand)
用法筆記
The subject is often a thing (qualifications, supply, score), and the object is a requirement, condition, demand, or need. This sense does not imply any emotional response — it only means the requirement or standard is met.
常見錯誤
3. to show someone strong evidence or good reasons so that they stop doubting somet
to show someone strong evidence or good reasons so that they stop doubting something — for example, satisfying a committee that a project is safe, or satisfying yourself that the front door is locked.
The engineer satisfied the safety officer that the bridge structure was safe.
satisfy + noun phrase + that-clause (formal verification)
Nala satisfied herself that the door was secure by checking both locks.
reflexive: satisfy + oneself + that-clause
The new evidence satisfied the judge that the accused person was telling the truth.
Minh satisfied himself about the car's condition by taking it to a mechanic.
Haruto's detailed report did not satisfy the committee that the error was minor.
- doubt
remain uncertain or unconvinced
文法句型
satisfy + noun phrase + that-clause
satisfy + oneself + that-clause
satisfy + noun phrase + of + noun phrase
用法筆記
Formal register; common in legal, official, and institutional contexts. The reflexive construction 'satisfy yourself that...' means to personally check and verify something until you have no remaining doubt. In everyday speech, 'convince' or 'make sure' is more natural.