reversible

American  

[ri-vur-suh-buhl] / rɪˈvɜr sə bəl /

adjective

1. capable of reversing or of being reversed.

2. able to be reversed or undone so that the original condition is restored.

   Some changes caused by hormonal steroids are not reversible, such as male pattern baldness.

   I knew I'd probably have to replace the canvas someday, so I used a reversible adhesive for easy removal.

3. (of a fabric) woven or printed so that either side may be exposed.

4. that can be worn or displayed with either side out.

   No matter which way he wears this reversible jacket, he'll be warm and stylish.

5. able to be installed so as to be used with either hand, turn clockwise or counterclockwise, open on either side, etc..

   Quiet, roomy, and with a reversible door, this refrigerator comes with a 10-year warranty.

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noun

1. a garment, especially a coat, that can be worn with either side exposed.

reversible British  

/ rɪˈvɜːsəbəl /

adjective

1. capable of being reversed

   a reversible decision

2. capable of returning to an original condition

3. chem physics capable of assuming or producing either of two possible states and changing from one to the other

   a reversible reaction

4. thermodynamics (of a change, process, etc) occurring through a number of intermediate states that are all in thermodynamic equilibrium

5. (of a fabric or garment) woven, printed, or finished so that either side may be used as the outer side

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noun

1. a reversible garment, esp a coat

Other Word Forms

• nonreversible adjective
• nonreversibly adverb
• reversibility noun
• reversibleness noun
• reversibly adverb
• unreversible adjective
• unreversibly adverb

Etymology

Origin of reversible

First recorded in 1640–50; reverse + -ible

Example Sentences

Planning officers recommended the festivals should be approved, concluding the events were time-limited and reversible and that the cultural, social and economic benefits outweighed what they assessed to be temporary impacts.

From BBC

For women, the most common effects are excess hair growth, acne and weight gain, which are usually reversible with reduction in dosage or discontinuation.

From BBC

Importantly, blood sugar regulation improved once the mice were taken off the ketogenic diet, suggesting that at least some of the metabolic damage may be reversible.

From Science Daily

They worried about Alex — vasectomies are reversible, but what if he couldn’t have kids?

From Salon

"We've found that the first step of the chain reaction is reversible, and that some drugs can favor a reverse reaction over the forward reaction," Dr. Bohn said.

From Science Daily

Related Words

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