English

invariable

gb/ɪnvˈɛɹiəbəl/ us/ɪnvˈɛɹiəbəl/
C1 English
Senses
0 senses
adjective formal C1 property
1

not changing; always the same

Always the same; not changing.

Usage pattern: [something] is/remains invariable; an invariable [noun]
Common mistake:
Often confused with invariable meaning “inevitable.” Something can be invariable (always the same) without being impossible to change.
Synonyms
constant (More common and slightly broader; can suggest steady level as well as sameness.) | unchanging (Direct and neutral; focuses on no change over time.) | consistent (Emphasizes sameness across situations or behavior.)
Antonyms
variable (Changing or differing across cases or time.) | changeable (Able to change; not fixed.) | inconsistent (Not the same from one time or case to another.)
Collocations
invariable rule |invariable pattern |invariable feature |invariable result |invariable response |invariable practice |remain invariable |stay invariable |almost invariable |fairly invariable
Themes
time |describing_things |patterns
Examples
  • Her morning routine is invariable: coffee, a short walk, then email.
  • The invariable result of skipping sleep is a bad mood the next day.
  • In this region, winter temperatures are remarkably invariable from year to year.
Learner examples
  • The schedule is invariable every week.
  • His answer was invariable: “No.”
adjective technical C2 property
2

not inflected in grammar

In grammar, a word that does not change its form.

Usage pattern: an invariable [word/noun/adjective]; [word] is invariable
Common mistake:
Learners may apply this to meaning rather than form; here it refers only to the word’s shape (spelling/pronunciation), not what it means.
Synonyms
uninflected (Direct technical synonym focusing on lack of inflection.) | indeclinable (Traditional grammar term, especially for case endings.)
Antonyms
inflected (Changes form to mark grammatical information.) | declinable (Can take different endings (especially for case/number).)
Collocations
invariable word |invariable form |invariable adjective |invariable noun |invariable particle |invariable in form |remain invariable |treat as invariable
Themes
language |linguistics |grammar
Examples
  • In English, adjectives are largely invariable, so they don’t change for gender or number.
  • The teacher explained that the loanword is invariable and keeps the same form in the plural.
  • In this language, some particles are invariable and never take endings.
Learner examples
  • In English, most adjectives are invariable.
  • This word is invariable in the plural.
Grammar
Dictionary form
invariable
IPA
GB/ɪnvˈɛɹiəbəl/
US/ɪnvˈɛɹiəbəl/
Syllables & stress
in - vari - able (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (vari)
Word forms
Adjective
  • Base: invariable
Word family
Core family
vary verb B1 variable adjective B1 variation noun B1 invariably adverb B2
Related words
variety noun A2 various adjective B1 variant noun B2
Advanced or less common
variability noun B2 variance noun B2 invariant adjective
Expressions

No expressions linked to this entry yet.

Welcome back!

Please sign in to continue

Forgot password?
Don't have an account? Sign up