Okay
What it means
In an acceptable, safe, or sufficiently well condition.
Reach for it when reassuring someone that a person or situation is not in immediate trouble
After a glass of water and ten quiet minutes, Mira said she felt okay.
Words to choose between 8
| everyday | |
|---|---|
| warm | |
| professional | |
| formal | |
| literary |
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everyday
Fits when brief reassurance is enough
Careful Fine can hide reluctance or mean excellent, so context must carry the tone.
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everyday
Fits when freedom from danger is the exact reassurance needed
Careful Safe does not promise comfort, health, or satisfaction.
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warm
all right
Fits when a familiar, gentle reassurance suits the sentence
Careful The phrase can also grant permission, which may create ambiguity.
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warm
Fits when speaking specifically about health or emotional condition
Careful It does not naturally rate the acceptability of a plan or object.
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professional
Fits when something meets a minimum standard
Careful It sounds evaluative and cool when comforting a worried friend.
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professional
Fits when a condition is no longer worsening
Careful Stability does not promise health, comfort, or resolution.
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formal
Fits when requirements have been met adequately
Careful Use a warmer word for personal wellbeing or relief after a scare.
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literary
Fits when the important fact is that no injury occurred
Careful It says nothing about whether someone feels calm or emotionally okay.
Opposites 3
- unwell
- unsafe
- unacceptable
Common phrases 3
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feel okay
You do not have to feel okay immediately after receiving difficult news.
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perfectly okay
It is perfectly okay to ask for the instructions a second time.
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be okay
The cracked pot will be okay outdoors once the drainage hole is widened.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Dvortygirl, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Updated