viable
VY-uh-buhl
/ˈvaɪ.ə.bəl/
Capable of working successfully; feasible; capable of living or surviving.
Applies both to practical business plans and biological organisms capable of independent life.
The story behind the word. From French 'viable', derived from Latin 'vita' (life). Originally described a newborn baby capable of surviving; expanded in the 19th century to practical plans.
Word relationships
- feasible: Feasible means possible to do; viable means capable of enduring and thriving long-term.
- unviable: Not capable of surviving or succeeding.
- impractical: Not sensible or realistic to carry out.
Commonly confused with
- variable: Viable means workable; variable means prone to change.
Word family
- viability (noun): Ability to work successfully or survive.
Collocations
- viable alternative
- commercially viable
- economically viable
Example sentences
- "The startup needed to demonstrate a viable business model to secure venture capital." Business
Memory hook
VIABLE plans have VITALITY—they are alive and working! Alive and workable.
When not to use
Avoid using for simple abstract ideas that cannot be put into practice or tested.
Fun facts
- In botany, seeds remain 'viable' if they retain the capacity to germinate after long storage.
Related words
Explore more words
feasibility, adaptable, actionable, sustainable, flexible, effectively
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