demonstrable
Americanadjective
-
capable of being demonstrated or proved.
-
clearly evident; obvious.
a demonstrable lack of concern for the general welfare.
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of demonstrable
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Old French, from Late Latin dēmonstrābilis, equivalent to Latin dēmonstrā(re) ( see demonstrate) + -bilis -ble
Explanation
If you can demonstrate to me how something works, then it must be demonstrable. You might think that word should be "demonstratable," but you'd be wrong — that word doesn't exist. Who can say why some words change a little when we change their part of speech. They just do. The verb demonstrate means to show or instruct. The adjective shortens the root to become demonstrable. The steps for buckling a seatbelt must be easily demonstrable, or people will go flying all over the cabin. Demonstrable is often used to refer to the truth of something: if something isn't demonstrable, then we can't really say that it exists, can we?
Vocabulary lists containing demonstrable
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Power Suffix: -able
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
President Obama's Farewell Address
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Demonstrable connection between these improvements and figures of the death rate.
From Social Transformations of the Victorian Age A Survey of Court and Country by Escott, T. H. S. (Thomas Hay Sweet)
Strictly speaking, however, only those Laws which do rest upon a Demonstrable basis and the Phenomena derived from them come within the scope of the Science of Physics.
From The Continental Monthly, Vol. 5, No. 2, February, 1864 Devoted To Literature And National Policy by Various
Demonstrable as having a high likelihood's of being so, yes!
From How and When to Be Your Own Doctor by Solomon, Steve
Demonstrable or not, that is the Ārya position.
From New Ideas in India During the Nineteenth Century A Study of Social, Political, and Religious Developments by Morrison, John
Demonstrable evidence from many sources is at command to show the progressive change and accumulative power of the lake trade.
From Canada and the Canadians, Vol. 2 by Bonnycastle, Richard Henry
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
