amendable

Meanings

1. 1adjectivecomparableformallegal

   Open to being formally changed or improved through revision, especially a law, contract or text.

   Grammar: Usually follows a linking verb: the contract is amendable.

   Patterns

   • amendable by someone
   • amendable to something

   The bylaws are amendable by a two-thirds vote of the members.

   The treaty is amendable if all signatories agree.

   Because the plan is amendable, we can fix the budget later.

2. 2adjectivecomparableformal

   Capable of being put right or corrected, as of a fault or mistake.

   Grammar: Less common than correctable: an amendable error.

   The typo in the report is easily amendable.

   His attitude is amendable with some patience.

   The mistake in the draft proved amendable before printing.

Word forms

Common combinations

easily amendable

The schedule is easily amendable.

amendable by vote

The charter is amendable by vote of the council.

amendable constitution

An amendable constitution can adapt over time.

remain amendable

The document remains amendable until signed.

not amendable

The order is final and not amendable.

Synonyms and how they differ

modifiable

Modifiable means changeable in any way, while amendable is used mostly for formal documents.

revisable

Revisable suggests editing and rethinking, a lighter idea than a formal amendment.

correctable

Correctable focuses on fixing errors, whereas amendable can also mean formally altering a rule.

alterable

Alterable is general and lacks the legal tone of amendable.

Opposites

Word family

amend verb

to change formally or improve

amendment noun

a formal change to a law or text

amendatory adjective

serving to amend

amends noun

something done to make up for a wrong

Commonly confused: amendable or amenable?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “amendable”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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