# irrevocable

/ˌɪˈɹɛvəkəbəɫ/ (US) · /ɪɹɪvˈɒkəbəl/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/irrevocable
Updated: 2026-05-28

## Definition

describing something that cannot be changed, stopped, or taken back. Once you make an irrevocable decision, you cannot undo it.

For teachers: describing an action, decision, or state that is final and cannot be reversed or rescinded. Often used in legal or formal contexts to indicate a permanent commitment.

## Examples

- The contract is irrevocable once you sign it.
- The board of directors made an irrevocable decision to close the factory, ending decades of local employment.
- The treaty established an irrevocable commitment to peace, ensuring that no future government could alter the terms without the unanimous consent of all signatories.

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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.