|
|
ir·re·vers·i·ble
 irreversible
 |
|
- pronunciation:
- I
r
vuhr
s
bl
- features:
- Word Parts
| part of speech: |
adjective |
| definition: |
impossible to reverse, turn back, or change.
No matter how much we begged, going to bed at eight o'clock was an irreversible rule. |
|
|
| derivations: |
irreversibly (adv.), irreversibility (n.) |
The word irreversible
contains the following parts:
ir-2
Latin
prefix
that means not, without
  More about this word part:
The prefix ir-2 occurs in Latin loanwords. It is an assimilated form of in-2 used before base words that begin with 'r.' See in-2
Example words:
vers, vert
Latin
root
that means to turn; to be occupied with
Example words:
adversary, adverse, adversity, advertise, advertisement, anniversary, avert, controversial, controversy, conversation, converse1, convert, convertible, diverse, diversion, diversity, divert, divorce, extrovert, invert, invertebrate, irreversible, reverse, universe, university, versatile, verse, version, versus, vertebrate, vertex, vertical
-able, -ible, -ble
Latin
adjective-forming suffix
that means capable of being, doing, or undergoing
More about this word part:
The suffix -able
, and its variants, is attached to Latin verb roots or English transitive verbs to form adjectives. (In a small set of cases, -able
is attached to a noun, e.g. knowledgeable and marriageable.) For spelling purposes, it is useful to know that -able
is more likely to be added to a whole English word (comparable, adorable
), while -ible
is more likely to follow a bound root (visible
, legible
). However,there are still many words which combine a root with -able
(capable
, inevitable
). The suffix -ity can be added to any adjective ending in -able
, -ible
, -ble
to produce a corresponding noun ending in -ability, -ibility, -bility (possible
+ -ity > possibility; irrevocable + -ity > irrevocability.)
Example words:
acceptable, accessible, adorable, amiable, audible, biodegradable, capable, convertible, dependable, disagreeable, disposable, divisible, eligible, flammable, flexible, illegible, impossible, inaudible, incapable, incomprehensible, inconceivable, incredible, incurable, indivisible, inevitable, invaluable, invincible, invisible, irreversible, legible, likable, lovable, movable, notable, perishable, portable, possible, sensible, usable, visible, washable, affordable, reliable, remarkable, approachable, durable, sustainable
|