sustainable
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for sustainable, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Able to be maintained or continued over a long period.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use sustainable
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From sustain plus the ending -able.
Full origin of 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.