Operable
What it means
Able to function, be used, or be treated successfully.
Reach for it when describing something able to function or a condition able to be treated surgically
The surgeon confirmed that the condition was safely operable.
Words to choose between 6
| everyday | |
|---|---|
| professional |
|
| formal |
-
everyday
Fits when a plan or mechanism can succeed in practice
Careful Workable can require changes before use.
-
professional
Fits when the device performs its required function
Careful Functional says nothing about ease of control.
-
professional
surgically treatable
Fits when the medical sense needs transparent wording
Careful Treatability does not predict outcome.
-
professional
Fits when people can effectively use the item
Careful Usability includes more than mechanical operation.
-
formal
serviceable
Fits when condition is adequate for practical use
Careful Serviceable implies adequacy, not full performance.
-
formal
Fits when a plan can function successfully
Careful Viable does not fit mechanical controls precisely.
Opposites 3
- inoperable
- unusable
- untreatable
Common phrases 3
-
fully operable
All emergency exits were fully operable after the repair.
-
safely operable
The surgeon confirmed that the condition was safely operable.
-
remain operable
The manual pump should remain operable during a power cut.
Usage notes
Keep in mind
Operable has distinct mechanical and medical uses; the surrounding noun should make the intended sense explicit.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Vealhurl, Southern England accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Updated