viable

[ vahy-uh-buhl ]

adjective

1. capable of living.
2. Physiology.
   1. physically fitted to live.
   2. (of a fetus) having reached such a stage of development as to be capable of living, under normal conditions, outside the uterus.
3. Botany. able to live and grow.
4. vivid; real; stimulating, as to the intellect, imagination, or senses:

   a period of history that few teachers can make viable for students.

5. practicable; workable:

   a viable alternative.

   Synonyms: adaptable, usable, feasible, practical

6. having the ability to grow, expand, develop, etc.:

   a new and viable country.

viable

/ ˈvaɪəbəl /

adjective

1. capable of becoming actual, useful, etc; practicable

   a viable proposition

2. (of seeds, eggs, etc) capable of normal growth and development
3. (of a fetus) having reached a stage of development at which further development can occur independently of the mother

Derived Forms

• ˌviaˈbility, noun

Other Words From

• via·bili·ty noun
• via·bly adverb
• un·via·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of viable¹

First recorded in 1820–30; from French, from vi(e) “life” (from Latin vīta; vital ) + -able -able

Word History and Origins

Origin of viable¹

C19: from French, from vie life, from Latin vīta

Example Sentences

The cost of running a viable farm exceeded £1m, he said, arguing that the government needed to sit down "with real family farmers or agricultural economists".

From BBC

The industry maintains the technology is both promising and viable.

From BBC

He added that if "too much money chases too few viable investments" funds might be forced into "riskier" investments.

From BBC

The urgent response to a lithium battery fire is to flood the cell with as much water as possible to cool it down, says fire safety consultant Mr Simpson, which may not be viable depending on where the fire occurs.

From BBC

While picking up the poo probably isn't anyone's favourite job, Mr McCammond said it was a must, to keep farming in the area viable and to protect biodiversity.

From BBC

Related Words

• applicable
• feasible
• possible
• usable
• workable