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; vital ) + -able -able

Example Sentences

Currently, developers can only increase production in areas that are already part of an existing licensed field, or adjacent to them, to ensure they remain viable.

From BBC

Asked about UK involvement in the conflict, Sir Keir said "there must be a lawful basis and a viable and thought-through plan".

From BBC

That would effectively be the only viable tool Japan has to curb inflation and the yen’s weakness, Noji said.

From The Wall Street Journal

This outcome rules out several existing theories and places strong limits on the types of superconducting states that remain viable.

From Science Daily

Industry figures have questioned if this remains viable.

From BBC

Related Words

• applicable
• feasible
• possible
• usable
• workable