Words / C1

ir-i-VURS-uh-bl/ˌɪrɪˈvɜːsəbl/

Irreversible means impossible to change back to a previous state: irreversible change, an irreversible leak. Reverse (already in the dictionary) sits opposite as a verb; undo (already in the dictionary) is everyday. Publishing before midnight is not a rehearsal.

Meaning

Impossible to change back to a previous state.

Examples

• “Publishing before midnight is an irreversible leak, not a rehearsal.”
• “Permanent is already in this course. Final is everyday. A rehearsal is a story. Midnight is a clock. Wait for the lift; then publish.”

Good to know

Unable to be undone. Verb opposite: reverse (already in the dictionary). A rehearsal ≠ an early publish.

Near in meaning

permanent, irrevocable, final

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