Irreversible: meaning, definitions and examples

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irreversible

 

[ ɪˈrɛvərsəbl ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

chemical reaction

Not capable of being reversed, undone, or altered.

Synonyms

irreparable, irrevocable, permanent.

Examples of usage

  • The chemical reaction is irreversible, once it has occurred it cannot be undone.
  • The irreversible process led to a permanent change in the substance.
Context #2 | Adjective

decision

Impossible to change, reverse, or recover.

Synonyms

final, irreparable, irrevocable.

Examples of usage

  • His decision to quit his job was irreversible; he couldn't take it back.
  • The irreversible consequences of his actions became apparent too late.
Context #3 | Adjective

health condition

Not able to be reversed or recovered; incurable.

Synonyms

incurable, irremediable, permanent.

Examples of usage

  • The damage to his lungs was irreversible and would worsen over time.
  • The irreversible effects of the disease left him with a permanent disability.

Translations

Translations of the word "irreversible" in other languages:

🇵🇹 irreversível

🇮🇳 अप्रतिवर्तनीय

🇩🇪 irreversibel

🇮🇩 tidak dapat diubah

🇺🇦 незворотний

🇵🇱 nieodwracalny

🇯🇵 不可逆

🇫🇷 irréversible

🇪🇸 irreversible

🇹🇷 geri döndürülemez

🇰🇷 되돌릴 수 없는

🇸🇦 غير قابل للعكس

🇨🇿 nevratný

🇸🇰 nevratný

🇨🇳 不可逆的

🇸🇮 nepovraten

🇮🇸 óafturkræfur

🇰🇿 қайтарылмайтын

🇬🇪 უუბრალოდ

🇦🇿 geri dönməz

🇲🇽 irreversible

Etymology

The word 'irreversible' originated from the prefix 'ir-' meaning 'not' or 'opposite of' and the word 'reversible', which comes from the Latin 'reversibilis' meaning 'able to be turned back'. The concept of irreversibility is fundamental in various fields such as physics, chemistry, and decision-making, emphasizing the permanence or inability to reverse certain processes or actions.

See also: irreversibly, reversal, reverse, reversed, reverser, reversing, reversion.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,479, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.