Meaning & use
reversible
Last updated
Meanings
adjectivecomparable
Able to be changed back to an earlier state, or undone so that the original result returns.
Grammar: Used before a noun or after a verb: a reversible decision, or The damage is reversible.
Patterns
- reversible by something
- fully reversible
Most of the side effects are reversible once you stop taking the medicine.
The bank said the payment was not reversible after it had been approved.
Being a physical change, melting ice is reversible.
adjectivebefore a noun
Made so that either side can be used as the outside, as with a coat or a rug.
Grammar: Describes an object with two usable faces: a reversible jacket.
She bought a reversible jacket that is navy on one side and red on the other.
The reversible mat can be flipped when one side gets dirty.
A reversible belt saves packing two belts for the trip.
Common combinations
- reversible process
- In the experiment, the reaction was a reversible process.
- easily reversible
- The change is easily reversible if users dislike it.
- fully reversible
- Doctors said the hearing loss was fully reversible.
- reversible jacket
- A reversible jacket doubles as two outfits.
- not reversible
- Once you delete the account, the action is not reversible.
Synonyms and how they differ
- undoable
- Undoable is more informal and mostly used for actions in software, while reversible suits processes, decisions and clothing.
- revocable
- Revocable applies to formal rights or decisions that can be cancelled, not to physical changes.
- two-sided
- Two-sided simply describes two faces, while reversible says each face can serve as the outside.
Opposites
Word family
- reverse verb
- to turn something the other way or undo it
- reversibly adverb
- in a way that can be undone
- reversibility noun
- the quality of being able to be undone
- irreversible adjective
- impossible to change back
Commonly confused: reversible or reversal?
reversible vs reversal
A reversal is the act or an instance of turning something around, while reversible describes whether something can be undone.
Practice
Which spelling is correct for describing a coat that can be worn inside out?
Choose one answer.
The adjective ends in -ible: reversible. The -able spelling is a common error and is not standard.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “reversible”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.