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

However, the sector has struggled to find viable business models elsewhere, with several high-profile insolvencies in Europe, and leading US players burning through cash with plans for mass production yet to materialise.

From Barron's

Russia’s Northern Sea Route, the other viable passage through the Arctic, is much busier.

From The Wall Street Journal

"The question is whether this escort strategy, which is extremely costly in terms of resources, is viable in the long term," the source added.

From Barron's

“The challenge will be, can they deliver? They have minimum viable products in a bunch of different areas,” said Bryan Clark, a former Navy strategist who is now at the Hudson Institute.

From The Wall Street Journal

Investors need to know if there are viable, profitable businesses beneath all these transactions and glitzy product launches, especially as valuations continue to rise.

From Barron's

Related Words

• applicable
• feasible
• possible
• usable
• workable