irrevocable
gb/ɪɹˈɛvəkəbəl/ us/ɪɹˈɛvəkəbəl/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
adjective
formal
C1
property
1
Impossible to change or undo
If something is irrevocable, you cannot change it or take it back.
Usage pattern:
[a decision/step/choice] is irrevocable; make an irrevocable [decision/commitment]
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse irrevocable (about decisions/permissions) with irreversible (often about physical processes or changes).
Synonyms
final (Emphasizes that it is the last decision and will not change.)
|
irreversible (Close in meaning, but more common for processes or changes that cannot be reversed.)
|
permanent (Stresses lasting effect over time.)
Antonyms
revocable (Can be withdrawn or canceled.)
|
reversible (Can be undone or returned to the previous state.)
|
changeable (Can be altered.)
Collocations
irrevocable decision
|irrevocable choice
|irrevocable step
|irrevocable action
|irrevocable commitment
|irrevocable agreement
|irrevocable consequences
|irrevocable damage
|irrevocable harm
|irrevocable mistake
Themes
daily_life
|decisions
|relationships
|consequences
Examples
- Once you press ‘submit,’ your application is irrevocable.
- Her decision to resign felt sudden, but it was irrevocable.
- Be careful what you say online—some posts can cause irrevocable harm.
Learner examples
- The decision is irrevocable.
- His choice was irrevocable.
adjective
legal
C1
property
2
Legally not able to be revoked
In law or business, irrevocable means it cannot be canceled after it is made.
Usage pattern:
an irrevocable [trust/license/offer/letter of credit]; [permission] is irrevocable
Common mistake:
Do not use irrevocable for something that is simply difficult to change; it means it cannot be changed under the rules or agreement.
Synonyms
binding (Stresses legal force and obligation, not necessarily impossibility of change in every scenario.)
|
noncancelable (Business-focused; emphasizes that it cannot be canceled.)
Antonyms
revocable (Can be legally withdrawn or canceled.)
|
cancellable (Can be canceled under the terms.)
|
amendable (Can be changed by amendment.)
Collocations
irrevocable trust
|irrevocable letter of credit
|irrevocable offer
|irrevocable license
|irrevocable beneficiary
|irrevocable consent
|irrevocable guarantee
|irrevocable undertaking
|irrevocable assignment
|irrevocable commitment
Themes
law
|business
|finance
|contracts
Examples
- The contract states that the license is irrevocable once the fee is paid.
- They used an irrevocable letter of credit to reduce the risk of nonpayment.
- She created an irrevocable trust to transfer assets out of her estate.
Learner examples
- The agreement is irrevocable.
- This permission is irrevocable.
Grammar
Dictionary form
irrevocable
IPA
GB/ɪɹˈɛvəkəbəl/
US/ɪɹˈɛvəkəbəl/
Syllables & stress
ir - re - voc - able (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (re)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: irrevocable
Word family
Core family
Related words
revocable
adjective
Advanced or less common
irrevocability
noun
Expressions
irrevocable beneficiary designation
1/ɪɹˈɛvəkəbəl bˌɛnɪfˈɪʃiˌɛɹi dˌɛzɪɡnˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
legal
Beneficiary choice cannot be changed
A beneficiary choice that you usually cannot change later.
Examples
- He named his ex-spouse with an irrevocable beneficiary designation as part of the divorce settlement.
- With an irrevocable beneficiary designation, the policyholder may need the beneficiary’s permission to make changes.
irrevocable consent
1/ɪɹˈɛvəkəbəl kənsˈɛnt/
fixed phrase
legal
Consent that cannot be withdrawn
Permission that cannot be taken back later.
Examples
- By signing, the customer gave irrevocable consent to electronic delivery of notices.
- The shareholders provided irrevocable consent to the merger terms.
irrevocable letter of credit
1/ɪɹˈɛvəkəbəl lˈɛtɚ əv kɹˈɛdɪt/
fixed phrase
business
Non-cancelable letter of credit
A bank promise to pay that cannot be changed without everyone agreeing.
Examples
- The exporter requested an irrevocable letter of credit before shipping the goods.
- The bank confirmed the irrevocable letter of credit to reassure the seller.
irrevocable license
1/ɪɹˈɛvəkəbəl lˈaɪsəns/
fixed phrase
legal
License that cannot be withdrawn
Legal permission to use something that cannot be taken back.
Examples
- The contract granted the partner an irrevocable license to use the software.
- They negotiated an irrevocable license in exchange for an upfront fee.
irrevocable offer
1/ɪɹˈɛvəkəbəl ˈɔfɚ/
fixed phrase
legal
Offer that cannot be withdrawn
An offer that the person making it cannot take back for a period of time.
Examples
- The seller made an irrevocable offer that remained open for 30 days.
- Under the agreement, the bid was treated as an irrevocable offer.
irrevocable trust
1/ɪɹˈɛvəkəbəl tɹˈʌst/
fixed phrase
legal
Trust that cannot be changed
A legal arrangement where the creator usually cannot change the trust later.
Examples
- They set up an irrevocable trust for their children’s education.
- Once the assets were placed in the irrevocable trust, he could not simply take them back.