What does attemptable mean?
Attemptable is an adjective meaning that something can be attempted, or that an action is possible or feasible to try. It is especially useful when discussing tasks, proposals, solutions, or courses of action that may be difficult, uncertain, or demanding but are still within the realm of possibility. The word does not imply that the result will be successful, only that an attempt can reasonably be made. In ordinary speech, possible, feasible, or practicable will often sound more natural, while attemptable has a more deliberate and occasionally technical or formal tone. Its value lies in distinguishing an undertaking that is genuinely worth trying from one that is plainly impossible. It is therefore particularly appropriate in discussion of practical strategies, difficult projects, and proposed actions.
adjectiveCapable of being attempted; possible or feasible to try.
- Capable of being attempted; possible or feasible to try.
"The problem was difficult but attemptable, and the team decided to tackle it."
"The climb was attemptable, though dangerous."
"Several practical solutions are attemptable before the deadline."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does attemptable come from?
Attemptable was formed in English by adding the suffix -able to attempt. Attempt comes through Middle English from Old French attenter, ultimately from Latin attemptāre, meaning 'to try or attempt.' The suffix -able gives the modern word its characteristic sense of 'capable of being...' and related English forms include attemptability and attemptably.
Related word forms
How attemptable is actually used
Relatively uncommon and somewhat formal. It is often interchangeable with possible, feasible, or practicable, but it emphasizes that an action can be undertaken rather than guaranteeing success.
Easily confused with attemptable
Attemptable describes something that can be tried, whereas attempted describes an effort that has already been made.