Definition
adj. describing something that can be changed back to how it was before. You can also use it for clothes that can be worn with either side facing out.
adj. capable of being undone or returned to a previous state; in thermodynamics, describing a process that can be inverted without leaving any change in the surroundings.
Examples
“The damage to the car is reversible.”
“The court ruled that the decision was reversible if new evidence came to light during the appeal.”
“In classical thermodynamics, a reversible process occurs infinitely slowly, allowing the system to remain in equilibrium with its surroundings throughout the entire transition.”
Examples
simple
“The damage to the car is reversible.”
contextual
“The court ruled that the decision was reversible if new evidence came to light during the appeal.”
complex
“In classical thermodynamics, a reversible process occurs infinitely slowly, allowing the system to remain in equilibrium with its surroundings throughout the entire transition.”
Usage
Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'be' or 'seem'; also used attributively to describe garments or chemical reactions.
Real-World Examples
“This myth is frequently weaponized to frame trans identities as optional or reversible.” “Moreover, EMF is noninvasive, fully reversible and can precisely penetrate target tissues or areas of the body, making it highly attractive for remote control of gene switches," Kim explains.” Etymology
Probably from Middle French, equivalent to reverse + -ible.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domains
- 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
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/reversible
「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0