Words of Positivity
Browse the A to Z index4,633 ENTRIES

Copacetic

adj.calm, joyfulplayful

What it means

Entirely satisfactory or in good order.

Reach for it when giving informal reassurance that a situation is proceeding acceptably

After the wiring check, everything in the studio was copacetic.

Choose between these

5
  • playful

    hunky-dory

    deliberately jaunty reassurance fits the audience

    not when Hunky-dory is comic, dated, and insensitive when real concerns remain.

  • everyday

    all right

    simple informal acceptance is enough

    not when All right is ambiguous between safe, adequate, unharmed, and agreed.

  • everyday

    fine

    brief conversational reassurance suits the moment

    not when Fine can conceal reluctance or mean merely adequate.

  • professional

    satisfactory

    the result meets the required standard

    not when Satisfactory often lands as faint praise rather than cheerful reassurance.

  • formal

    in order

    arrangements or records have been checked and found correct

    not when In order sounds procedural and lacks copacetic's relaxed optimism.

Said against

3
  • wrong
  • troubled
  • unsatisfactory

It naturally appears in

3
  • everything copacetic

    With the permits signed and cables tested, everything was copacetic.

  • seem copacetic

    The numbers may seem copacetic until returns are included.

  • copacetic relationship

    Their copacetic relationship depended on clear boundaries.

Usage notes

Copacetic is informal, chiefly North American, and can sound glib if the situation has not actually been checked.