Words / C2

i-REV-uh-k-uh-bl/ɪˈrevəkəbl/

Irrevocable means impossible to reverse or take back: an irrevocable decision, irrevocable change. Final and permanent are everyday; immutable (already in the dictionary) is “cannot be changed” as a standing quality. Revoke is cancel. Do not call a timetable irrevocable when it is merely last year’s PDF.

Meaning

Impossible to change, reverse, or take back (formal).

Examples

• “Deleting the only CSV was an irrevocable error, not a “refresh”.”
• “Permanent is everyday. Immutable is unchangeable (already in C2). Revocable licences can be pulled. A signed, dated, backed-up file can still be replaced. A sole copy in the bin cannot.”

Good to know

Cannot be undone. Everyday: permanent / final. Contrast: immutable (cannot be changed). Mix-up: a habit billed as fate. Back up the CSV.

Near in meaning

permanent

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