reversible

[ ri-vur-suh-buhl ]

adjective

1. capable of reversing or of being reversed.
2. able to be reversed or undone so that the original condition is restored:

   Some changes caused by hormonal steroids are not reversible, such as male pattern baldness.

   I knew I'd probably have to replace the canvas someday, so I used a reversible adhesive for easy removal.

3. (of a fabric) woven or printed so that either side may be exposed.
4. that can be worn or displayed with either side out:

   No matter which way he wears this reversible jacket, he'll be warm and stylish.

5. able to be installed so as to be used with either hand, turn clockwise or counterclockwise, open on either side, etc.:

   Quiet, roomy, and with a reversible door, this refrigerator comes with a 10-year warranty.

noun

1. a garment, especially a coat, that can be worn with either side exposed.

reversible

/ rɪˈvɜːsəbəl /

adjective

1. capable of being reversed

   a reversible decision

2. capable of returning to an original condition
3. chem physics capable of assuming or producing either of two possible states and changing from one to the other

   a reversible reaction

4. thermodynamics (of a change, process, etc) occurring through a number of intermediate states that are all in thermodynamic equilibrium
5. (of a fabric or garment) woven, printed, or finished so that either side may be used as the outer side

noun

1. a reversible garment, esp a coat

Derived Forms

• reˈversibly, adverb
• reˌversiˈbility, noun

Other Words From

• re·vers·i·bil·i·ty [ri-vur-s, uh, -, bil, -i-tee], re·vers·i·ble·ness noun
• re·vers·i·bly adverb
• non·re·vers·i·ble adjective
• non·re·vers·i·bly adverb
• un·re·vers·i·ble adjective
• un·re·vers·i·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of reversible¹

First recorded in 1640–50; reverse + -ible

Example Sentences

It’s now part of a small but growing number of mobile programs aimed at increasing rural access to women’s health services, including long-acting reversible contraception.

From Salon

The latest release of Burberry Classics — a curation of wardrobe foundations reimagined with a unique Burberry slant — features iconic British rainwear, nylon parkas and reversible down-filled styles.

From Los Angeles Times

Analysts said the movie lighted a spark for this quarter’s box office revenue, providing hope that this year’s box office declines are a reversible trend.

From Los Angeles Times

By charging the charcoal 'sponge' with ions that form reversible bonds with CO2, the researchers found the charged material could successfully capture CO2 directly from the air.

From Science Daily

The researchers hypothesised that charging activated charcoal with chemical compounds called hydroxides would make it suitable for carbon capture, since hydroxides form reversible bonds with CO2.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• capricious
• fickle
• fluctuating
• mercurial
• protean
• shifting
• unpredictable
• unsettled
• unstable
• varying
• volatile