sustainably
gb/sˈʌstˈeɪnəbli/ us/sˈʌstˈeɪnəbli/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
adverb
B2
property
1
in an eco-friendly way
In a way that is good for the environment and does not waste resources.
Usage pattern:
[do something] sustainably
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use the adjective instead: say “produce it sustainably,” not “produce it sustainable.”
Synonyms
responsibly (General; does not always specifically mean environmental sustainability.)
|
in an eco-friendly way (More explicit about environmental impact.)
Antonyms
unsustainably (In a way that cannot continue without damaging the environment or exhausting resources.)
Collocations
live sustainably
|travel sustainably
|farm sustainably
|grow food sustainably
|shop sustainably
|source materials sustainably
|produce sustainably
|manage forests sustainably
|build sustainably
|eat sustainably
Themes
environment
|climate
|consumption
|business
Examples
- The company is trying to source its cotton sustainably.
- You can travel more sustainably by taking the train instead of flying.
- The city wants to expand public transport sustainably rather than build more highways.
Learner examples
- I want to live sustainably.
- They grow vegetables sustainably.
adverb
C1
property
2
in a long-term maintainable way
In a way that can continue for a long time without big problems.
Usage pattern:
[grow/develop/improve] sustainably
Common mistake:
Do not confuse with “sustainedly” (meaning continuously); “sustainably” is about being able to continue long-term.
Synonyms
viably (Often used in business/economics; focuses on feasibility.)
|
in a maintainable way (Emphasizes the ability to keep something going.)
Antonyms
unsustainably (At a pace or level that cannot continue long-term.)
Collocations
grow sustainably
|expand sustainably
|operate sustainably
|fund sustainably
|scale sustainably
|increase sustainably
|recover sustainably
|develop sustainably
|spend sustainably
|maintain sustainably
Themes
business
|economics
|planning
|health
Examples
- The startup needs to scale sustainably instead of burning cash.
- The hospital is trying to fund the program sustainably year after year.
- Wages need to rise sustainably, not through short-term fixes.
Learner examples
- We must grow sustainably.
- They want to spend sustainably.
Grammar
Dictionary form
sustainably
IPA
GB/sˈʌstˈeɪnəbli/
US/sˈʌstˈeɪnəbli/
Syllables & stress
sus - tain - ably (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (sus)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: sustainably
- Plural: sustainablies
Expressions
sustainably grown
1/sˈʌstˈeɪnəbli ɡɹˈoʊn/
fixed phrase
grown with responsible farming methods
Grown using farming methods that do not harm nature.
Examples
- The café serves sustainably grown coffee beans.
- They switched to sustainably grown rice to reduce water use.
- The label says the vegetables are sustainably grown.
sustainably harvested
1/sˈʌstˈeɪnəbli hˈɑɹvɪstɪd/
fixed phrase
collected without depleting nature
Taken from nature without using too much.
Examples
- They sell sustainably harvested seaweed snacks.
- The company claims its tuna is sustainably harvested.
- We chose sustainably harvested wood for the deck.
sustainably managed
1/sˈʌstˈeɪnəbli mˈænɪd͡ʒd/
fixed phrase
formal
run with long-term resource protection
Controlled in a way that keeps resources available in the future.
Examples
- The park includes sustainably managed forests.
- The certification requires sustainably managed fisheries.
- They invested in sustainably managed farmland.
sustainably produced
1/sˈʌstˈeɪnəbli pɹədˈust/
fixed phrase
business
made in a sustainable way
Made in a way that is good for the environment and can continue long-term.
Examples
- They sell sustainably produced clothing made with less water.
- The report compares the costs of sustainably produced steel.
- Consumers are asking for sustainably produced packaging.
sustainably sourced
1/sˈʌstˈeɪnəbli sˈɔɹst/
fixed phrase
business
obtained with low environmental impact
Taken from nature or suppliers in a way that protects resources.
Examples
- The brand uses sustainably sourced palm oil.
- Look for sustainably sourced timber when buying furniture.
- The menu highlights sustainably sourced seafood.