alterable

IPA/ˈɔːltərəbl/
IPA/ˈɔːltərəbl/

alterable — adjective

  • alterablepositive
  • more alterablecomparative
  • most alterablesuperlative

1. A rule, plan, condition, or similar thing that is alterable can be changed or ad

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

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.

Example

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.

Common collocations
  • easily alterable
  • readily alterable
  • schedule is alterable
  • deadline is alterable
  • plan is alterable
  • rule is alterable
  • condition is alterable
  • terms are alterable
  • alterable at any time
  • alterable without penalty
  • alterable by [committee/manager]
Synonyms
  • 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

Antonyms
  • 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

Usage Note

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).

Common Mistakes

The weather is alterable today.
The weather is changeable today.
Alterable means 'able to be changed by someone,' not 'likely to change on its own,' so it does not describe natural phenomena like weather.

2. Clothing that is alterable can be made larger or smaller by adjusting the seams,

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

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.

Example

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

Common collocations
  • dress is alterable
  • suit is alterable
  • trousers are alterable
  • jacket is alterable
  • garment is alterable
  • not alterable
  • easily alterable
  • alterable by a tailor
  • alterable at the waist
  • alterable for [occasion]
Synonyms
  • 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

Antonyms
  • unalterable

    general opposite; for clothing, means the garment cannot be taken in or let out

Usage Note

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.

Common Mistakes

This jacket is alterable because the buttons can be changed.
This jacket is alterable because the side seams can be taken in.
Alterable for clothing specifically refers to changing the size and fit, not accessories like buttons or zippers.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

Changeable is the broadest of these words and carries two meanings — 'able to be changed' and 'liable to shift on its own' (e.g. changeable weather or a changeable mood). Adjustable focuses on precise mechanical tuning to a desired setting (an adjustable chair, an adjustable strap). Modifiable is more technical and formal, frequently used in computing and academic writing (modifiable code, modifiable parameters). Flexible suggests a capacity to adapt to different conditions without structural alteration (flexible working hours, a flexible approach). Alterable sits between changeable and adjustable — it implies a deliberate change made by a person rather than an inherent tendency to shift, and it covers both abstract items (rules, deadlines) and physical items (clothing). For example, a changeable person might change their mind on a whim, but an alterable contract can only be changed when both sides agree.

changeable ↗adjustable ↗modifiable ↗flexible ↗

Common collocations

Adverbs

  • easily alterable
  • readily alterable
  • not alterable
  • fully alterable

Phrases

  • alterable at any time
  • alterable without penalty
  • alterable by mutual agreement

Prepositions

  • alterable by [someone/agent]
  • alterable at [location/stage]

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Alterable comes from the Latin verb alterare, meaning 'to change or make different,' plus the suffix -able, which gives it the sense of 'able to be changed.' It passed into English through French altérable during the 1500s. The root alter ('other, another') also appears in English words like alternative and alteration.