sustainable
Sustainable (adj) means able to be maintained or continued over a long period. Example: “They're looking for a sustainable business model.”
How to Use Sustainable
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAble to keep going long-term, especially without harming the environment or running out of resources.
Word Forms
more sustainable comparative, sustainables plural, most sustainable superlative
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
They're looking for a _____ business model.
Etymology
From sustain plus the ending -able.
Related Words
Rhymes for sustainable
See all rhymes for sustainable →Frequently Asked Questions
What does “sustainable” mean?
The word “sustainable” means able to be maintained or continued over a long period. In plain terms, able to keep going long-term, especially without harming the environment or running out of resources.
How do you pronounce “sustainable”?
“Sustainable” is pronounced suh-STAY-nuh-buhl (/səˈsteɪnəbəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “sustainable” in a sentence?
Here is “sustainable” used in a sentence: “They're looking for a sustainable business model.”
What part of speech is “sustainable”?
“Sustainable” is an adjective.
Is “sustainable” a common word?
“Sustainable” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “sustainable” have?
“Sustainable” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: able to be maintained or continued over a long period.
What is the difference between "sustainable" and "renewable"?
"Sustainable" means able to be maintained over a long period without using up resources faster than they can be replaced. "Renewable" describes a resource that naturally replenishes, such as solar or wind power, so renewable sources are one way of achieving sustainable use.
When should you use "sustainable" instead of "maintainable"?
Use "sustainable" for something that can carry on over the long term, often with an environmental or economic sense, as in sustainable farming. Use "maintainable" chiefly for things that can be kept in good working order, such as maintainable software or machinery.
What words commonly go with "sustainable"?
"Sustainable" frequently pairs with development, growth, energy, farming, and living. These phrases stress continuing over the long term without exhausting resources or harming the environment.