# avoidable

/əˈvɔɪdəbəɫ/ (US) · /ɐvˈɔɪdəbəl/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/avoidable
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.