interchangeable
Americanadjective
-
(of two things) capable of being put or used in the place of each other.
interchangeable symbols.
-
(of one thing) capable of replacing or changing places with something else.
an interchangeable part.
Related Words
See exchangeable.
Other Word Forms
- interchangeability noun
- interchangeableness noun
- interchangeably adverb
- noninterchangeability noun
- noninterchangeable adjective
- noninterchangeableness noun
- uninterchangeable adjective
Etymology
Origin of interchangeable
First recorded in 1400–50; interchange + -able; replacing late Middle English entrechaungeable, from Middle French entrechangeable
Explanation
Things that are interchangeable can replace each other easily. Interchangeable objects or people can be substituted, and no one would know the difference. Some things cannot be switched: if you replace spoons with forks, people are going to have trouble eating soup. Other things are interchangeable: if you switch them, nothing will be lost. Gadgets that are interchangeable can be substituted easily: they're exchangeable or standardized. If two workers are interchangeable, they could do each other's jobs. Two interchangeable words mean almost the exact same thing and could be used in the same way. Interchangeable things are versatile, useful — and, most importantly — "switchable."
Vocabulary lists containing interchangeable
Chew On This
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A week ago he told MPs the Royal Navy and Norwegian ships would operate as a "truly interoperable, interchangeable force".
From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026
Although both approaches produce the same experimental results, the new research shows they are not interchangeable when it comes to describing memory.
From Science Daily • Apr. 14, 2026
The problem is that interest rates and the balance sheet are treated as interchangeable tools, but they are not.
From MarketWatch • Feb. 9, 2026
U.S. and allied militaries are training together more extensively and buying the same equipment, aiming to make their forces not just interoperable, but interchangeable.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 8, 2026
They wore scratchy prison uniforms, including one-size-fits-all shoes with interchangeable right and left feet.
From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
