Word
preventable
Phoneticspre·ventable
US/pɹiˈvɛntəbəɫ/
UK/pɹɪvˈɛntəbəl/
Definition
adj. describing something bad that does not have to happen if you take the right actions. You use this for things like accidents or illnesses that you can stop before they start.
adj. capable of being stopped or avoided through timely intervention or precautionary measures. Often used in medical, safety, or policy contexts to describe avoidable negative outcomes.
Examples
“Many common house fires are preventable with a smoke alarm.”
“Health officials emphasize that these diseases are preventable if children receive their scheduled vaccinations on time.”
“The inquiry concluded that the industrial disaster was entirely preventable, citing a systemic failure to maintain safety valves and ignore early warning signs from the pressure sensors.”
Examples
simple
“Many common house fires are preventable with a smoke alarm.”
contextual
“Health officials emphasize that these diseases are preventable if children receive their scheduled vaccinations on time.”
complex
“The inquiry concluded that the industrial disaster was entirely preventable, citing a systemic failure to maintain safety valves and ignore early warning signs from the pressure sensors.”
Usage
Typically used to modify nouns representing negative events, such as 'deaths', 'accidents', or 'errors'.
Real-World Examples
“Avoidable deaths were defined as deaths occurring before the age of 75 due to preventable or treatable causes.” “As much as 40% of the NHS budget goes towards treating preventable conditions.” Etymology
From prevent + -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/preventable