viable
gb/vˈaɪəbəl/ us/vˈaɪəbəl/
B2
English
~ 4900
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
Able to work or succeed
Able to work well or be successful.
Usage pattern:
[something] is viable
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'viable' with 'visible'. 'Viable' means able to work or succeed; 'visible' means able to be seen.
Synonyms
feasible (Often used interchangeably, but 'feasible' focuses more on possibility, while 'viable' implies both possibility and practicality for success.)
Antonyms
impractical (Describes something that cannot be done effectively or realistically.)
Collocations
viable option
|viable solution
|viable alternative
|viable plan
Themes
business
|planning
|problem solving
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The committee is looking for a viable solution to the housing crisis.
- None of the proposals seemed financially viable.
- This plan is not viable without additional funding.
- Solar power has become a viable energy source in many regions.
Learner examples
- We need a viable plan to finish the work.
- This is a viable way to save money.
- The idea is good, but not viable right now.
- That machine is old, but still viable for small jobs.
adjective
technical
C1
property
2
Able to live or grow
Able to live or grow normally.
Usage pattern:
[organism/seed/embryo] is viable
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this meaning with general success-related uses; in biology, 'viable' refers strictly to life and development potential.
Synonyms
living (A simple term indicating something is alive, though less specific about potential for development.)
Antonyms
nonviable (Specifically used in technical contexts to mean incapable of life or development.)
Collocations
viable fetus
|viable seed
|viable organism
Themes
biology
|medicine
|agriculture
|science
|health
Examples
- The doctors confirmed that the fetus is viable at this stage of pregnancy.
- Only a few of the seeds were viable after storage.
- The scientists are studying how to keep cells viable for longer periods.
Learner examples
- The baby is viable after 24 weeks.
- These seeds are not viable anymore.
- The plant is still viable in this climate.
Grammar
Dictionary form
viable
IPA
GB/vˈaɪəbəl/
US/vˈaɪəbəl/
Syllables & stress
vi - able (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (vi)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: viable
Word family
Core family
viability
noun C1
Related words
viably
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
unviable
adjective
nonviable
adjective
Advanced or less common
nonviability
noun
Expressions
viable option
1/vˈaɪəbəl ˈɑpʃən/
fixed phrase
An option that can work well
A choice that can work well and succeed.
Examples
- Remote work is a viable option for many companies today.
- Taking public transport is a viable option if you live near the city center.
viable solution
1/vˈaɪəbəl səlˈuʃən/
fixed phrase
A solution that can work well
A way to fix a problem that can work well and succeed.
Examples
- We need a viable solution to reduce waste in the office.
- Recycling more is a viable solution to help the environment.
commercially viable
1/kəmˈɚʃəli vˈaɪəbəl/
fixed phrase
likely to make a profit
Able to make enough money so that it is worth doing as a business.
Examples
- The product is innovative, but not commercially viable yet.
- The prototype works, but it is not commercially viable at the current cost.
- They are testing whether the idea is commercially viable before launching it.
- We need a cheaper design before this product becomes commercially viable.
- The project was cancelled because it was not seen as commercially viable.