alterable
/ˈɔːltərəbl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɔːltərəbl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈȯl-t(ə-)rə-bəl/ (ame, mw)
alterable — 形容詞
- alterablepositive
- more alterablecomparative
- most alterablesuperlative
1. A rule, plan, condition, or similar thing that is alterable can be changed or ad
可更改的
規則、計畫等可以調整的
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.
公司的假期時間表是可更改的，只要有足夠多的員工提出變更請求。
collocation: schedule is alterable
Professor Adebayo explained that the essay deadline was alterable for students with medical certificates.
Adebayo 教授解釋說，持有醫療證明的學生可以更改繳交論文的截止日期。
The terms of the rental agreement are alterable only when both parties sign a written amendment.
租賃協議的條款只有在雙方簽署書面修改文件後才能更改。
Club guidelines are easily alterable, so members voted to update the dress code at the meeting.
社團的指導方針很容易修改，因此成員們在會議上投票更新了服裝規定。
Maria checked whether her flight booking was alterable before paying the refundable deposit.
Maria 在支付可退還的訂金之前，先確認了她的機票訂位是否可以更改。
- 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,
能改尺寸
衣服可調整尺寸合身
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.
這件婚紗能改尺寸，所以裁縫師把裙擺改短了三吋。
collocation: dress is alterable for fitting
Lin asked whether the suit jacket was alterable before paying for the alterations.
Lin 在支付修改費用之前，先問了這件西裝外套是否能改尺寸。
collocation: suit / jacket is alterable
Thuy bought a silk blouse that was alterable, and the tailor adjusted the waist.
Thuy 買了一件能改尺寸的絲質襯衫，裁縫幫她調整了腰身。
Cheap prom dresses are often not alterable because the fabric has no extra seam allowance.
便宜的畢業舞會禮服通常不能改尺寸，因為布料根本沒有多餘的縫份可以放寬。
Kavita asked the shop assistant whether the wool trousers were alterable, since the legs were too long.
Kavita 問店員這件羊毛褲是否能改尺寸，因為褲腿太長了。
- 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.