revocable

[ rev-uh-kuh-buhlor, often, ri-voh- ]

adjective

1. that may be revoked.

revocable

/ rɪˈvəʊkəbəl; ˈrɛvəkəbəl /

adjective

1. capable of being revoked; able to be cancelled

Derived Forms

• ˈrevocably, adverb
• ˌrevocaˈbility, noun

Other Words From

• revo·ca·bili·ty revo·ca·ble·ness noun
• revo·ca·bly adverb
• nonrev·o·ca·bili·ty noun
• non·revo·ca·ble adjective
• non·revo·ca·bly adverb
• nonre·voka·ble adjective
• un·revo·ca·ble adjective
• un·revo·ca·bly adverb
• unre·voka·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of revocable¹

From the Latin word revocābilis, dating back to 1490–1500. See revoke, -able

Example Sentences

Two common estate planning documents are a last will and a revocable living trust.

From Washington Blade

And while Monsanto has pledged not to deploy Terminator, the company has stated that this “pledge” is revocable at any time.

From The Daily Beast

There can be no dower in a mere personal privilege, or in a revocable license pertaining to land.

From Project Gutenberg

Every contract on a negotiable note is incomplete and revocable until its delivery.

From Project Gutenberg

George, however, wished to have the power to nominate a regent by an instrument revocable at pleasure.

From Project Gutenberg

A week, but a short week, to come, before my fate is irrevocably fixed; or revocable only by the hand of death!

From Project Gutenberg

Besides, this part of the agreement was revocable at my pleasure.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• capricious
• fickle
• fluctuating
• mercurial
• protean
• shifting
• unpredictable
• unsettled
• unstable
• varying
• volatile

More About Revocable

What does revocable mean?

Revocable means able to be revoked—taken back, withdrawn, or cancelled.

Revoke and revocable are typically used in the context of officially taking back or cancelling some kind of right, status, or privilege that has already been given or approved. Passports and laws are revocable, for example.

Things that revocable are subject to revocation. The opposite of revocable is irrevocable.

Very rarely, revocable can also be spelled revokable.

Example: The principal reminded us that our privileges are revocable and will be taken away if there is any bad behavior.

Where does revocable come from?

The first records of the word revocable come from around 1500. Its base word, revoke, ultimately derives from the Latin verb revocāre, which means “to call back” or “to withdraw” and is a combination of re-, meaning “back” or “again,” and vocāre, “to call.” Vocāre is also the root of words like invoke, evoke, and provoke. The suffix -able makes it mean “able to be revoked.”

A right or privilege has to have been granted or approved in the first place for it to be revocable. The word is often used in a legal context to refer to certain rights or credentials being taken away, such as a driver’s license. If a person’s access or status is revocable, it means it can be cancelled if they break the rules or for other reasons. Some things, such as rights, are sometimes described as irrevocable—meaning they can never be legally taken away.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms of revocable?

• revokable (rare alternate spelling)
• revocably (adverb)
• revocability (noun)
• revocableness (noun)
• nonrevocable (adjective)
• revoke (verb)

What are some synonyms for revocable?

• cancellable
• rescindable
• countermandable
• annulable

What are some words that share a root or word element with revocable? 

 

• irrevocable
• evoke
• provoke
• invoke
• voice

What are some words that often get used in discussing revocable?

• right
• status
• privilege
• license
• credentials
• passport
• law

 

How is revocable used in real life?

Revocable is commonly used in serious and official contexts.

If you don't have a signed contract that says "work for hire," then it isn't a work for hire. What you probably have is a revocable license, meaning the contractor can take back the rights to his or her work later on, no matter what else you agreed to

— Adam Freedman (@acfreedmanlaw) August 29, 2018

No such thing as grazing "Rights" — they are revocable privileges and the distinction is important. The 2020 fee is $1.35 per head (cow and her calf) on public lands.

— Western Watersheds (@wildadvocate) June 29, 2020

Breaking: Press statement.
"Citizenship by birth is not revocable. Mr Miguna Miguna is entitled to his Kenyan passport." KNCHR #MigunaDeportedAgain

— Lord Abraham Mutai (@ItsMutai) March 29, 2018

 

 

Try using revocable!

Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of revocable?

A. cancellable
B. rescindable
C. approvable
D. annulable