What does rectifiable mean?
Rectifiable describes something that can be corrected, amended, or put right. It is particularly common in formal and technical writing about errors, defects, complaints, failures, or shortcomings: a problem may be described as rectifiable if the circumstances or evidence make a satisfactory remedy possible. The adjective is more polished and specific than the informal “fixable,” and it often suggests that a recognized procedure exists for addressing the fault. In mathematics, rectifiable has a specialized application to a curve whose length can be defined as the limit of the lengths of approximating polygonal lines. The word is consequently useful when discussing both practical remediation and precise mathematical concepts. In ordinary contexts, it conveys that a situation is imperfect but not beyond correction.
Capable of being corrected, amended, remedied, or put right.
"The committee found that the procedural failure was rectifiable and ordered a new hearing."
Used mainly in formal, legal, administrative, and technical contexts; often implies that a remedy is available.
Of a curve: having a well-defined length obtainable as the limit of lengths of approximating polygonal lines.
"The curve is rectifiable, so its length can be computed by a limiting polygonal construction."
This is a specialized mathematical sense.
In geometry, a rectifiable curve is one whose length can be captured by increasingly accurate straight-line approximations.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does rectifiable come from?
Rectifiable was formed in English from the Latin-derived verb rectify and the suffix -able, meaning “able to be.” The verb comes ultimately from Latin rectificare, “to make straight or right,” built on rectus, meaning “straight” or “right,” and facere, “to make.” This family also underlies words such as rectangle, rectitude, and rector.
Related word forms
How rectifiable is actually used
The word is formal and especially common in legal, administrative, technical, and academic contexts. It is more precise than the informal “fixable” when discussing a defect, error, or shortcoming that can be remedied.