What does redeemably mean?
Redeemably is an adverb meaning in a manner that can be redeemed. It describes something done, flawed, or valued in a way that leaves open the possibility of recovery, repayment, or rescue. In a moral or figurative sense, it suggests that a fault, mistake, or bad situation can still be put right. In a financial or commercial sense, it points to something, such as a coupon, bond, or pledge, that can be exchanged or bought back for its stated value. The word is built from the adjective redeemable plus the suffix -ly, and it is quite rare in everyday writing. Its negative partner, irredeemably, is far more familiar and is often used to describe lost causes. Redeemably tends to carry a gentler, more optimistic connotation, implying that damage is not final. It is a useful word for writers who want to signal hope or partial salvage in a single adverb, though it can sound formal or slightly unusual to readers who rarely meet it.
adverbIn a manner that can be redeemed, meaning in a way that allows recovery, repayment, exchange, or rescue from a fault or loss. It is a rare word, far less common than its negative counterpart irredeemably.
- In a way that allows a fault, loss, or bad situation to be made good or salvaged.
- In a way that allows something to be exchanged, repaid, or bought back, as a voucher, bond, or pledge.
"The ruined reputation was, he hoped, only redeemably damaged, and a year of honest work might yet repair it."
"The manuscript was damaged, but only redeemably so, since a skilled conservator could restore most of the pages."
"Unlike the old store credit, the new coupons were redeemably priced, so customers could exchange them for cash at any branch."
Redeemably is rarely seen, while its negation irredeemably is a common word.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does redeemably come from?
Redeemably is formed from redeemable plus the adverbial suffix -ly. Redeemable comes from the verb redeem, which entered English from Old French redimer and ultimately from Latin redimere, meaning to buy back, made from re- (back) and emere (to buy or take). The same Latin root gives English words such as redemption, exempt, preempt, and premium.
Related word forms
How redeemably is actually used
Redeemably is a formal and uncommon adverb. Writers usually reach for the adjective redeemable or the negated adverb irredeemably instead. When it does appear, it often carries a hopeful or mitigating tone, suggesting that a flaw or loss is not final.
Easily confused with redeemably
Irredeemably means in a way that cannot be redeemed or saved, whereas redeemably means in a way that can be.