Definition of satisfaction noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

satisfaction

noun

OPAL W

/ˌsætɪsˈfækʃn/

Word Family

satisfaction noun (≠ dissatisfaction)
satisfactory adjective (≠ unsatisfactory)
satisfactorily adverb (≠ unsatisfactorily)
satisfy verb
satisfying adjective (≠ unsatisfying)
satisfied adjective (≠ dissatisfied) (≠ unsatisfied)

Idioms

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[uncountable, countable] the good feeling that you have when you have achieved something or when something that you wanted to happen does happen; something that gives you this feeling
- to gain/get/derive satisfaction from something
- a look/smile of satisfaction
- with satisfaction She looked back on her career with great satisfaction.
- He had the satisfaction of seeing his book become a bestseller.
- She didn't want to give him the satisfaction of seeing her cry.
- The company is trying to improve customer satisfaction.
- He was enjoying all the satisfactions of being a parent.
see also dissatisfaction
Synonyms satisfaction
satisfactionhappiness ▪ pride ▪ contentment ▪ fulfilmentThese are all words for the good feeling that you have when you are happy or when you have achieved something.
satisfaction the good feeling that you have when you have achieved something or when something that you wanted to happen does happen:
He derived great satisfaction from knowing that his son was happy.
happiness the good feeling that you have when you are happy:
Money can’t buy you happiness.
pride a feeling of being pleased or satisfied that you get when you or people who are connected with you have done something well or own something that other people admire:
The sight of her son graduating filled her with pride.
contentment (rather formal) a feeling of being happy or satisfied with what you have:
They found contentment in living a simple life.
fulfilment a feeling of being happy or satisfied with what you do or have done:
her search for personal fulfilment
satisfaction, happiness, contentment or fulfilment?You can feel satisfaction at achieving almost anything, small or large; you feel fulfilment when you do something useful and enjoyable with your life. Happiness is the feeling you have when things give you pleasure and can be quite a lively feeling; contentment is a quieter feeling that you get when you have learned to find pleasure in things.Patterns
- satisfaction/happiness/pride/contentment/fulfilment in something
- real satisfaction/happiness/pride/contentment/fulfilment
- true satisfaction/happiness/contentment/fulfilment
- great satisfaction/happiness/pride
- quiet satisfaction/pride/contentment
- to feel satisfaction/happiness/pride/contentment
- to bring somebody satisfaction/happiness/pride/contentment/fulfilment
- to find satisfaction/happiness/contentment/fulfilment
Extra Examples
- Although we didn't win, we were able to take some satisfaction from our performance.
- Both parties expressed their complete satisfaction with the decision.
- Clients are asked to rate their overall satisfaction.
- He derived great satisfaction from knowing that his son was happy.
- He nodded with evident satisfaction.
- I find satisfaction in helping people.
- I had the satisfaction of proving him wrong.
- My current level of job satisfaction is pretty low.
- She felt a certain satisfaction in keeping him waiting.
- She watched in satisfaction as he opened the present.
- The children were a major source of satisfaction.
Topics Successb2

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[uncountable] the act of fulfilling a need or desire
- the satisfaction of sexual desires
- the satisfaction of your ambitions
[uncountable] (formal) an acceptable way of dealing with a complaint, a debt, an injury, etc.
- I complained to the manager but I didn't get any satisfaction.
- They agreed on a payment of £200 in full satisfaction of the debt.

Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French, or from Latin satisfactio(n-), from satisfacere ‘satisfy, content’, from satis ‘enough’ + facere ‘make’.

Idioms

to somebody’s satisfaction

if you do something to somebody’s satisfaction, they are pleased with it
- The affair was settled to the complete satisfaction of the client.
- The matter was resolved to our general satisfaction.
if you prove something to somebody’s satisfaction, they believe or accept it
- Can you demonstrate to our satisfaction that your story is true?

See satisfaction in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee satisfaction in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English

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