Okay is an informal term of approval, assent, or acknowlegment, often written as OK or O.K.. (See also A-OK.) When used to describe the quality of something, it denotes being fit for purpose ("this is okay to send out") or of a quality which is acceptable but not great ("the food was okay"). When used in dialogue, it can denote compliance ("okay, I'll do that"), agreement ("okay, that's good"), a wish to defuse a situation or calm someone ("okay, it's not that bad"), or even formal approval ("you're okay to do that"). As with most slang, its meaning is determined by context.