invariable

American  

[in-vair-ee-uh-buhl] / ɪnˈvɛər i ə bəl /

adjective

1. not variable; not changing or capable of being changed; static or constant.

   Synonyms:

   invariant, changeless, unchanging, unalterable, immutable, unvarying

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noun

1. something that is invariable; a constant.

invariable British  

/ ɪnˈvɛərɪəbəl /

adjective

1. not subject to alteration; unchanging

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noun

1. a mathematical quantity having an unchanging value; a constant

Other Word Forms

• invariability noun
• invariableness noun
• invariably adverb

Etymology

Origin of invariable

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; in- ³, variable

Explanation

Use the adjective invariable to describe something that's unlikely to change, such as your invariable custom of eating deep-dish pizza every Saturday. You can hear the word vary in invariable. Something that varies changes or is made up of different kinds of things. When you add the prefix in-, meaning "not," and the adjective suffix -able, you get an adjective to describe something that's not able to vary or change. Synonyms for invariable include constant, fixed, and immutable. Someone who's invariable in her habits may seem predictable and boring on the one hand, and steady and reliable on the other.

Example Sentences

When reporters asked if he had the stamina for another campaign, his invariable response was: “Watch me.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 22, 2024

“The ball will always find you” is not, of course, an invariable truth.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 15, 2023

Within the shift of generations is the invariable passing of roles from one dancer to the next, and what is vividly apparent is that these ballets were made on specific people.

From New York Times • Mar. 2, 2022

If legal race reflected invariable biological truths, then why was the definition of legal race so variable?

From Slate • Apr. 30, 2021

This part of the process is invariable and immortal.

From "Travels with Charley in Search of America" by John Steinbeck