Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Satisfactory, acceptable, or adequate: Used to indicate that something is acceptable, in proper condition, or meeting a basic standard.
   • In good health or spirits: Used to indicate that a person is well or unharmed.

2. Adverb:

   • In a satisfactory or adequate manner: Used to describe an action performed to an acceptable standard.
   • Used for emphasis or agreement: Functions as a discourse marker to confirm understanding or acceptance.

3. Verb:

   • To approve, sanction, or authorize: To give formal or informal consent to something.

4. Noun:

   • Approval, authorization, or endorsement: An act of giving consent or a mark of acceptance.
   • An indication of agreement: A statement or gesture signifying "yes" or acceptance.

Usage Examples

• Adjective: (Is the coffee satisfactory?) (I feel well now after resting.)
• Adverb: (The car functions adequately for its age.) (Alright, I understand your point.)
• Verb: (The manager will approve the budget proposal.)
• Noun: (We need your approval to proceed.) (He gave a quick sign of agreement with a nod.)

Advanced Usage

• "To get the o.k.": To receive permission or approval.
• "It's o.k. by me": An informal expression of personal consent or lack of objection.
• "O.K.?" as a question tag: Used to check for understanding, agreement, or condition. (We'll meet at six, is that acceptable?)

Variants and Related Words

• Okay: The most common standard spelling variant for all parts of speech (adjective, adverb, verb, noun, interjection).
• OK: A common written abbreviation, especially in informal contexts.
• Okeh: An archaic or historical spelling variant.
• A-OK (adj.): Informal term meaning in perfect order or condition.

Synonyms

• Adjective/Adverb: Acceptable, fine, alright, satisfactory, adequate, all right.
• Verb: Approve, authorize, sanction, endorse, agree to.
• Noun: Approval, authorization, consent, endorsement, green light, go-ahead.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• O.K. with: To find something acceptable or agreeable. (Do you find the new schedule acceptable?)

Related Idioms

• "Give the o.k./okay": To grant permission.
• "Everything is o.k.": A general assurance that all is well or satisfactory.

Verb

1. give sanction to
   • I approve of his educational policies

Adjective

1. being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
   • an all-right movie
   • the passengers were shaken up but are all right
   • is everything all right?
   • everything's fine
   • things are okay
   • dinner and the movies had been fine
   • another minute I'd have been fine

Adverb

1. in a satisfactory or adequate manner; (`alright' is a nonstandard variant of `all right')
   • she'll do okay on her own
   • held up all right under pressure

Noun

1. an endorsement
   • they gave us the O.K. to go ahead