Inevitable
Breakups, deadlines, and gravity share a reputation for arriving whether you are ready with a speech or not.
Learn This WordMeaning
Certain to happen; unavoidable; unable to be avoided, evaded, or escaped.
Memory trick
Think "IN-EVIT-ABLE" = "IN (not) EVITABLE (avoidable)", not avoidable. Or "INEVITABLE = IN EVERY TABLE", happens at every table, can't avoid it.
Examples
Change is inevitable in any growing organization.
The team's defeat seemed inevitable after losing their star player.
It was inevitable that they would eventually meet.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Etymology
From Latin inevitabilis, from in- "not" + evitabilis "avoidable," from evitare "to avoid."
Usage Notes
Used to describe outcomes that cannot be prevented or avoided, often with a sense of resignation or acceptance.
Real-life contexts
Accept outcomes: "It was inevitable."
Describe certainty: "Failure is inevitable without planning."
Use philosophically: "Change is inevitable."
Common Mistakes
Inevitable means it will definitely happen, not just likely. Don't use it for things that are merely probable.
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Start LearningQuick Facts
Part of Speech
adjective
Difficulty
intermediateMonthly Searches
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