# sustainable

/səˈsteɪnəbəɫ/ (US) · /səstˈeɪnəbəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sustainable
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 2. able to be continued

adjective · CEFR B2 · Academic

able to continue at the same level or rate for a long time.

For teachers: capable of being maintained or continued at a certain rate or level.

- The company's rapid growth was not sustainable because they didn't have enough staff.
- Economists warned that the current level of consumer debt is not sustainable and could lead to a market correction.

Usage: frequently used in business and economics to describe growth or spending

Teaching tip: In academic writing, this sense refers to the logic or viability of a system rather than just the environment.

### 3. renewable energy

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a source of energy that is renewable, like wind or solar power.

For teachers: a renewable energy source or a product derived from sustainable practices.

- The government is investing more money into sustainables like wind and solar power.
- The transition from coal to sustainables requires significant infrastructure investment and a complete overhaul of the national grid.

Usage: usually used in the plural form 'sustainables'

Teaching tip: This noun use is relatively recent and mostly found in technical or policy-related discussions about energy.

## Examples

- We need to find more sustainable ways to produce energy.
- The company switched to sustainable packaging to reduce its carbon footprint and appeal to eco-conscious customers.
- Achieving a truly sustainable global economy requires a fundamental shift from linear consumption models toward circular systems that prioritize the regeneration of natural capital over short-term industrial growth.

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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.