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REFERENCE

viable

adj.
US //ˈvaɪəbəɫ// UK //vˈaɪəbəl// vi·able
  1. 1 possible and successful (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    describes a plan, idea, or method that can actually work in real life.

    capable of working successfully; feasible or practicable in a given context.

    Example

    The company decided the project was not financially viable because it would cost too much.

    Example

    After reviewing the market data, the board concluded that the startup's business model was no longer viable in the current economic climate.
  2. 2 able to survive (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Science

    able to live, grow, and develop on its own.

    capable of living and developing independently; often used regarding seeds, eggs, or foetuses.

    Example

    The biologist checked if the seeds were still viable after being stored for ten years.

    Example

    The laboratory confirmed that the tissue samples remained viable despite the failure of the primary refrigeration system during the storm.
Origin

Borrowed from French viable (further from Latin vīta), with semantic influence of Latin viābilis (“passable”).

Word family

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