Words / C1

just-i-FEYE-uh-bl/ˌdʒʌstɪˈfaɪəbl/

Justifiable means you can show it is reasonable or right: a justifiable delay, justifiable anger. Fair and reasonable are everyday; justify and justification (already in the dictionary) are the family. Just (already in the dictionary) is “fair” or “only”. Do not call a missing n justifiable as “style”.

Meaning

Able to be shown to be reasonable or right.

Examples

• “A justifiable delay needs a date; a vibe does not.”
• “A justifiable delay needs a date in the minute; a vibe does not.”
• “Reasonable is everyday. Justify is the verb. Unjustifiable is the opposite. A delay you cannot explain is not justifiable after the fact.”

Good to know

Can be shown to be right. Everyday: reasonable. Family: justify / justification. Mix-up: just (fair / only). A missing count is not “style”.

Near in meaning

reasonable

New