viable
Americanadjective
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capable of living.
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Physiology.
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physically fitted to live.
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(of a fetus) having reached such a stage of development as to be capable of living, under normal conditions, outside the uterus.
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Botany. able to live and grow.
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vivid; real; stimulating, as to the intellect, imagination, or senses.
a period of history that few teachers can make viable for students.
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practicable; workable.
a viable alternative.
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having the ability to grow, expand, develop, etc..
a new and viable country.
adjective
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capable of becoming actual, useful, etc; practicable
a viable proposition
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(of seeds, eggs, etc) capable of normal growth and development
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(of a fetus) having reached a stage of development at which further development can occur independently of the mother
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"We all remember the mistakes of Iraq, and we have learnt those lessons. Any UK actions must always have a lawful basis and a viable thought-through plan," he added in parliament.
From Barron's
Teams could also be demoted out of the top flight if they fail to perform on the pitch or engage fans, but only "if a stronger, viable candidate exists".
From BBC
“With inflation concerns easing, Treasuries are regaining traction as a viable hedge during risk‐off episodes, reinforcing the USD’s safe‐haven appeal,” they add.
He argued it would have been safe and viable for Ritchie to return to her own home, where she has had 24/7 nursing for eight years.
From BBC
There is a narrow but viable lane to success here, but the chances decrease as talk of profits and losses outpaces talk of wins and losses.
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
