Word
avoidable
Phoneticsavoid·able
US/əˈvɔɪdəbəɫ/
UK/ɐvˈɔɪdəbəl/
Definition
adj. something that could have been prevented or stopped if you had tried. You use this to describe a problem or a mistake that was not necessary.
adj. capable of being prevented or escaped; not necessary or inevitable. Often used to describe errors or conflicts that could have been resolved through better planning or communication.
Examples
“The accident was an avoidable mistake.”
“The manager realized that the project's failure was avoidable if the team had followed the safety protocols.”
“While some risks are inherent to the industry, many of the recent financial losses were entirely avoidable through more rigorous oversight and risk management strategies.”
Examples
simple
“The accident was an avoidable mistake.”
contextual
“The manager realized that the project's failure was avoidable if the team had followed the safety protocols.”
complex
“While some risks are inherent to the industry, many of the recent financial losses were entirely avoidable through more rigorous oversight and risk management strategies.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “avoidable” in context.
Real-World Examples
“We have people dying avoidable deaths every day.” “Two in five of the first group’s deaths were judged to be avoidable.” Etymology
From avoid + -able.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/avoidable