mutable
MYOO-tuh-bul
/ˈmjuːtəbəl/
Liable to change; capable of or tending to change in form or nature.
Focuses on the capacity for change rather than just the brevity of time.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'mutabilis', from 'mutare' (to change). This is the same root found in 'mutation' and 'mutual' (exchanging). It suggests that change is an inherent quality of the object.
Word relationships
- changeable: Changeable is common; mutable is more formal and often implies a fundamental change in essence.
- immutable: Immutable means unchanging over time or unable to be changed.
Commonly confused with
- volatile: Mutable means 'can change'; volatile means 'changes quickly and often dangerously'.
Word family
- mutate (verb): To change in form or nature.
- mutation (noun): The action or process of mutating.
Collocations
- mutable nature
- mutable laws
- highly mutable
- mutable state
Example sentences
- "Language is a mutable entity, constantly evolving as new words are created and old ones fall out of use." Describing language.
- "The mutable weather of the mountains can go from sunny to snowy in a matter of minutes." Describing nature.
Memory hook
Think of 'Mutants'—they are mutable because they have changed their form. Able to mutate.
When not to use
Do not use for things that are simply short-lived; use for things that transform.
Fun facts
- In computer programming, a 'mutable object' is an object whose state can be modified after it is created.
Related words
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