alterable
/ˈɔːltərəbl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɔːltərəbl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈȯl-t(ə-)rə-bəl/ (ame, mw)
alterable — adjective
- alterablepositive
- more alterablecomparative
- most alterablesuperlative
1. A rule, plan, condition, or similar thing that is alterable can be changed or ad
A rule, plan, condition, or similar thing that is alterable can be changed or adapted to better suit a particular need, situation, or preference. Unlike changeable, which can also mean 'likely to shift on its own,' alterable focuses on the possibility of someone deliberately making a change.
The company's holiday schedule is alterable if enough staff members request a change.
collocation: schedule is alterable
Professor Adebayo explained that the essay deadline was alterable for students with medical certificates.
The terms of the rental agreement are alterable only when both parties sign a written amendment.
Club guidelines are easily alterable, so members voted to update the dress code at the meeting.
Maria checked whether her flight booking was alterable before paying the refundable deposit.
- changeable
more general, can mean either 'able to be changed' or 'liable to shift' (e.g. changeable weather); alterable is more precise about deliberate human action
- adjustable
focuses on fine-tuning to a specific setting, often mechanical (e.g. adjustable chair); alterable is broader — includes policies, dates, sizes
- modifiable
more technical, common in computing and formal writing; alterable is more natural in everyday speech about plans and clothing
- unalterable
the direct antonym; implies a rule or condition cannot be changed under any circumstances
- fixed
suggests something is deliberately set and not open to adjustment
- immutable
very formal; used for laws, principles, or truths that cannot ever change
用法筆記
Commonly used with nouns like schedule, deadline, plan, rule, condition, or terms as the subject. The agent of the change often appears after by (e.g. alterable by the committee).
常見錯誤
2. Clothing that is alterable can be made larger or smaller by adjusting the seams,
Clothing that is alterable can be made larger or smaller by adjusting the seams, hems, waistband, or other parts so that the garment fits the wearer properly. Cheap or unlined clothes are often not alterable because there is no extra fabric inside the seams.
The wedding dress was alterable, so the seamstress shortened the hem by three inches.
collocation: dress is alterable for fitting
Lin asked whether the suit jacket was alterable before paying for the alterations.
collocation: suit / jacket is alterable
Thuy bought a silk blouse that was alterable, and the tailor adjusted the waist.
Cheap prom dresses are often not alterable because the fabric has no extra seam allowance.
Kavita asked the shop assistant whether the wool trousers were alterable, since the legs were too long.
- adjustable
broader — can describe any item whose size or position can be fine-tuned (e.g. adjustable straps); alterable is specific to tailoring
- resizable
mostly used in computing for windows or images; uncommon for clothing
- unalterable
general opposite; for clothing, means the garment cannot be taken in or let out
用法筆記
Commonly appears in questions and negatives (Is this dress alterable? / These trousers are not alterable.) because buyers usually need to confirm whether an off-the-rack garment can be taken to a tailor. The term is also frequent in garment descriptions on retail websites.