Preventable
prɪˈventəbəl
Definitions
Capable of being stopped or avoided before it happens.
prɪˈventəbəl
Capable of being prevented or avoided.
The disease is preventable with vaccination.
💡 Simply: Imagine spilling your juice. If you put the cup on a coaster to stop it from happening, that spill is preventable. Anything you can stop from happening is preventable!
👶 For kids: Something is preventable if you can stop it from happening. Like if you can stop yourself from getting a boo-boo.
More Examples
Most car accidents are preventable by following traffic rules and practicing safe driving.
The economic downturn was preventable had the government taken different measures.
How It's Used
"Many deaths from heart disease are preventable with lifestyle changes."
"Accidents on the factory floor are often preventable through better safety protocols."
"The economic crisis was, in many analysts' opinions, preventable."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Antonyms
From Middle English *preventable*, from Old French *preventable*, from *prevenir* ('to prevent') + *-able* (forming adjectives).
The term 'preventable' has been in use since the 16th century.
Memory tip
Think of 'prevent' and add '-able'. If something is preventable, you can 'prevent' it from happening.
Word Origin
"to come before, anticipate, hinder"