viable

American  

[vahy-uh-buhl] / ˈvaɪ ə bəl /

adjective

1. capable of living.

2. Physiology.

   1. physically fitted to live.

   2. (of a fetus) having reached such a stage of development as to be capable of living, under normal conditions, outside the uterus.

3. Botany. able to live and grow.

4. vivid; real; stimulating, as to the intellect, imagination, or senses.

   a period of history that few teachers can make viable for students.

5. practicable; workable.

   a viable alternative.

   Synonyms:

   adaptable, usable, feasible, practical

6. having the ability to grow, expand, develop, etc..

   a new and viable country.

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viable British  

/ ˈvaɪəbəl /

adjective

1. capable of becoming actual, useful, etc; practicable

   a viable proposition

2. (of seeds, eggs, etc) capable of normal growth and development

3. (of a fetus) having reached a stage of development at which further development can occur independently of the mother

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Other Word Forms

• unviable
  adjective
• viability
  noun
• viably
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of viable

First recorded in 1820–30; from French, from vi(e) “life” (from Latin vīta; see vital) + -able -able

Explanation

When something is viable, it has the ability to grow or function properly. A viable seed can develop into a plant, while a viable company has the resources to succeed. The adjective viable refers to something able to function properly and even grow. It is made up of the Latin root vita, which means "life," and the ending -able, which means "to be possible." In terms of science or botany, when a plant is viable it can live and flourish in an environment such as a cactus in the desert. Consider also the Wright brothers, who were the first to develop a viable airplane after many tries and spectacular failures.

Example Sentences

It’s about that same tension between present and future orientation, which Davies argues is present in virtually every organization, as described by the Viable Systems Model developed by Stafford Beers.

From Salon • May 10, 2025

Samina is a worker for the Marginalised Area Reproductive Health Viable Initiative – Marvi – once a popular emblem of female independence in Sindhi folklore.

From The Guardian • Jun. 1, 2016

Viable candidates have been vetted on various message boards.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 4, 2016

Viable live eggs are found close to the scalp—typically within a quarter-inch—and are often found behind the ears and near the nape.

From Slate • Aug. 21, 2015

Photo-Micrograph of Soured Milk Inoculated with a Tablet containing Viable and Pure Cultures of Bacillus bulgaricus 120 33.—

From The Bacillus of Long Life a manual of the preparation and souring of milk for dietary purposes, together with and historical account of the use of fermente by Douglas, Loudon

Related Words

• applicable
• feasible
• possible
• usable
• workable