irreversible

/ˌɪrɪˈvɜːsəbl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌɪrɪˈvɜːrsəbl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌir-i-ˈvər-sə-bəl/ (ame, mw)

irreversible — adjective

  • irreversiblepositive
  • more irreversiblecomparative
  • most irreversiblesuperlative

1. describing a change, decision, or condition that cannot be taken back or returne

1.形容詞C1
釋義

describing a change, decision, or condition that cannot be taken back or returned to the earlier state

例句

The crash caused irreversible damage to Noor's right knee.

collocation: irreversible damage

By July, the lake's pollution had become irreversible.

become irreversible

同義詞
  • permanent

    Broader; something permanent lasts, but it does not always stress that change back is impossible.

  • irreparable

    Usually focuses on damage that cannot be repaired rather than any kind of change.

  • final

    Often stresses that no more discussion or action will follow.

反義詞

文法句型

irreversible + noun

be + irreversible

用法筆記

Most often used for damage, loss, decline, and decisions whose effects cannot be changed back. It is narrower than permanent because it stresses that returning to the old state is impossible, not just that something lasts a long time.

常見錯誤

❌The stain is permanent, so it will fade next week.
✅The stain is irreversible, so the shirt will not return to its old condition.
💡irreversible stresses that the earlier state cannot be restored.