mutable
gb/mjˈutəbəl/ us/mjˈutəbəl/
C1
English
változékony, változó, módosítható
C1
FORMAL
1
változékony
B2
változó
A2
Usage pattern:
[something] is mutable
Public opinion is mutable and can shift quickly after a major event.
A közvélemény változékony, és egy jelentős esemény után gyorsan megváltozhat.
In her twenties her ambitions were mutable, changing from month to month.
Húszas éveiben az ambíciói változékonyak voltak, hónapról hónapra változtak.
The rules are not immutable; they are mutable and open to revision.
Learner examples
My schedule is mutable, so I can meet you later.
Az időbeosztásom változhat, ezért később tudok találkozni veled.
His mood is mutable.
Változékony a hangulata.
Common mistake:
Learners often use it where a simpler word like changeable or flexible is more natural in everyday speech.
Meaning
able to change easily
Collocations
mutable nature
|mutable character
|mutable mood
|mutable emotions
|mutable plans
|mutable circumstances
|mutable environment
|mutable situation
Synonyms
changeable (More common and neutral in everyday English.)
|
variable (Often suggests differences over time, situations, or measurements.)
|
flexible (Emphasizes willingness or ability to adapt.)
Antonyms
unchanging (Stresses that it stays the same over time.)
|
fixed (Suggests it is set and not intended to change.)
|
constant (Emphasizes stability and regularity.)
Themes
describing_things
|change
Definition
If something is mutable, it can change.
Able to change, or likely to change, especially over time or in different situations.
C1
TECHNICAL
2
módosítható
B2
Usage pattern:
[data/object/structure] is mutable
In this language, strings are immutable but lists are mutable.
Ebben a nyelvben a sztringek nem módosíthatók, a listák viszont módosíthatók.
The bug happened because a mutable object was shared across threads.
A hiba azért történt, mert egy módosítható objektumot több szál között osztottak meg.
They switched to immutable data to avoid accidental changes to mutable state.
Learner examples
A list is mutable, so you can add items to it.
A lista módosítható, ezért elemeket adhatsz hozzá.
Common mistake:
Do not confuse mutable (can be changed) with mutable vs. immutable as a specific programming design choice.
Meaning
changeable after being created (computing)
Collocations
mutable object
|mutable data
|mutable state
|mutable variable
|mutable structure
|mutable collection
|mutable reference
|mutable default argument
Synonyms
modifiable (General technical synonym; less tied to the mutable/immutable contrast.)
|
editable (Often used for user-facing content rather than program objects.)
Antonyms
immutable (Cannot be changed after creation.)
|
read-only (Not permitted to be changed, often by access rules.)
Themes
computing
|programming
Definition
In programming, mutable means you can change it after you make it.
In computing, able to be modified after it has been created, rather than remaining fixed.
Grammar
Dictionary form
mutable
IPA
GB/mjˈutəbəl/
US/mjˈutəbəl/
Syllables & stress
mut - able (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (mut)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: mutable
Word family
Related words
mutant
noun B2
Negative and opposite forms
immutable
adjective
Advanced or less common
mutability
noun C1
immutability
noun
Expressions
mutable data
1/mjˈutəbəl dˈætə/
fixed phrase
technical
data that can be changed
Data you can edit or update.
Examples
- Use defensive copying when you accept mutable data from outside the module.
- Mutable data structures can be faster for frequent updates, but they require careful handling.
Learner examples
- This function changes mutable data.
mutable object
1/mjˈutəbəl ˈɑbd͡ʒɛkt/
fixed phrase
technical
object that can be modified
A programming object you can change after creating it.
Examples
- Be careful when you pass a mutable object into a function, because the function may change it.
- A mutable object can cause surprising side effects when it is shared by different parts of a program.
Learner examples
- This is a mutable object, so its values can change.
mutable state
1/mjˈutəbəl stˈeɪt/
fixed phrase
technical
state that can change
Data in a program that can change.
Examples
- They reduced mutable state to make the code easier to test.
- Mutable state in a shared module can lead to hard-to-find bugs.
Learner examples
- Mutable state can change while the program runs.