irrevocably
Americanadverb
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of irrevocably
Explanation
If you do something irrevocably, there's no going back. Irrevocably describes an action that can't be changed or reversed. When something's done permanently, it's happened irrevocably. If you break off a friendship irrevocably, it's final; you will never regain that friend again. Irrevocably comes from the Latin word irrevocabilis, meaning "unable to be recalled or reversed."
Vocabulary lists containing irrevocably
Night
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!
The Kite Runner
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!
Vocabulary from the Magna Carta on its 800th Anniversary
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.
“Tendered shares are tendered shares and irrevocably committed,” the bank said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 15, 2026
As the demand for a portion of paradise only continues to grow, Caribbean land defenders remain concerned that, rather than bringing opportunity, tourism could irrevocably change the place they call home.
From BBC ● May 20, 2026
But I look at this year’s official poster — Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis striking a steely pose from 1991’s “Thelma & Louise” — and can’t help but wonder if Hollywood has changed irrevocably.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 11, 2026
Figures like Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar and Napoleon were adventurers, and while perhaps not personally admirable, they changed history and changed it irrevocably:
From Salon ● Mar. 28, 2026
As if a great river of machinery is steaming slowly, irrevocably, toward her.
From "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr
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.
