Immutable

/ɪˈmjuːtəbəl/

adjectiveAdvancedCommonLegal

Definitions

1

Not subject or susceptible to change; unchangeable.

/ɪˈmjuːtəbəl/

adjectiveneutralAdvanced
Legal

Not subject or susceptible to change or variation in form or quality or nature

The laws of nature are often seen as immutable.

💡 Simply: Think of something that just won't change, like a rule or a law. It's not going to budge no matter what happens. It's immutable! Like, if a school has a rule against running in the hallways, that rule is probably immutable.

👶 For kids: It means something that can't be changed, like the rules of a game!

More Examples

2

Her decision, once made, was immutable.

3

Immutable data structures are useful for preventing accidental modifications.

How It's Used

Law

"The immutable laws of physics govern the universe."

Philosophy

"Some philosophers believe in the existence of immutable truths."

Computer Science

"Immutable data structures cannot be altered after they are created."

From Latin *immutabilis* "unchangeable," from *in-* "not" + *mutabilis* "changeable," from *mutare* "to change."

The word 'immutable' has been used since the 15th century, originally with a strong religious and philosophical connotation regarding unchanging truths.

Memory tip

Imagine a rock – it's generally immutable. No matter what, it stays a rock.

Word Origin

Root: mutare

immutibleimutableimmuatable

Usage

20%Spoken
80%Written