Word
justifiable
Phoneticsjus·ti·fi·able
US/ˈdʒəstəˌfaɪəbəɫ/
UK/dʒˈʌstɪfˌaɪəbəl/
Definition
adj. having a good reason for an action or a belief. If something is justifiable, you can explain why it is right or fair.
adj. capable of being defended or shown to be right, fair, or reasonable. Often used to describe decisions, expenses, or emotional reactions that meet a standard of logic or ethics.
Examples
“The extra cost is justifiable because the quality is much higher.”
“The manager argued that the price increase was justifiable given the rising cost of raw materials.”
“In legal contexts, a defendant must prove that their actions were a justifiable response to an immediate threat rather than an act of unprovoked aggression.”
Examples
simple
“The extra cost is justifiable because the quality is much higher.”
contextual
“The manager argued that the price increase was justifiable given the rising cost of raw materials.”
complex
“In legal contexts, a defendant must prove that their actions were a justifiable response to an immediate threat rather than an act of unprovoked aggression.”
Usage
Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'be', 'seem', or 'become'.
Pitfall
a justifiable of the cost
a justification of the cost
Learners sometimes use the adjective 'justifiable' when the noun 'justification' is required.
Etymology
From Middle French justifiable. By surface analysis, justify + -able.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Domain
- 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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QR code
englishreference.com/q/justifiable