What does fixable mean?
Fixable is an adjective meaning capable of being repaired, corrected, or put right. It applies both to physical things — a car, a roof, a cracked phone screen — and, by extension, to abstract problems such as errors, misunderstandings, or strained relationships. Its power lies in its optimism: calling something fixable asserts that the damage is not permanent and that a solution exists within reach. The word derives from the verb 'fix', which traces back through Latin figere, 'to fasten', combined with the productive suffix '-able', meaning 'capable of'. Common pairings include 'easily fixable' and 'readily fixable', often used in technical support, engineering, and workplace communication to reassure others that a setback is manageable. Its natural opposite is 'irreparable' or 'unfixable'. Though slightly informal, it is firmly established in modern English and valued precisely because it compresses reassurance into a single syllable-plus-suffix.
adjectiveCapable of being repaired, corrected, or remedied; able to be put right.
- Able to be repaired or mended (of a physical object or damage).
- Able to be corrected or remedied (of a problem, error, situation, or relationship).
"The damage looked severe, but the mechanic assured her the engine was entirely fixable."
"Don't replace the whole laptop — it's just a fixable screen issue."
"The committee agreed that the flaws in the proposal were fixable with a few amendments."
Every 'it's broken' moment hides a quiet question of hope — is it fixable? This little word is where optimism meets the toolbox.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of fixable
Fixable combines the verb 'fix' with the suffix '-able', indicating capability. The verb 'fix' entered English from Latin via French, ultimately deriving from Latin figere, 'to fasten or attach', whose past participle fixus gave English 'fix' in the early fifteenth century. Words sharing this root include 'fixture', 'affix', 'prefix', and 'transfix'. The derivative 'fixable' emerged later as English speakers routinely formed '-able' adjectives from verbs.
How fixable is actually used
Slightly informal in tone but widely accepted in both speech and writing. It carries an inherently optimistic connotation, implying that failure or damage is not final. Most common in everyday and business contexts rather than highly formal prose, where phrases like 'capable of being rectified' may be preferred.
Easily confused with fixable
'Fixed' describes something already repaired or made fast and immovable, whereas 'fixable' describes something that can still be repaired but has not yet been.