What does repairable mean?
Repairable describes something that can be mended, restored, or corrected so that it becomes serviceable or satisfactory again. The word is especially common in technical and professional contexts involving vehicles, machinery, buildings, clothing, and other objects that may suffer damage. Saying that something is repairable can indicate that it is worth repairing because the necessary work remains possible, although it does not by itself guarantee that the cost will be reasonable. In ordinary conversation, "fixable" is a more familiar alternative. Repairable can also apply more broadly to problems or deficiencies, but its central meaning concerns damage that can be remedied. The word is especially useful when distinguishing recoverable damage from damage that is permanent or irreparable.
adjectiveAble to be repaired or restored to a satisfactory condition. It may also refer to damage that can be remedied or to something whose defects can be corrected.
- Able to be repaired or restored to a satisfactory condition.
"The engineer determined that the cracked housing was repairable without replacing the entire unit."
"The museum concluded that most of the damaged pottery was repairable."
"Although the car was badly dented, the mechanic said the bodywork was repairable."
Repairable points to the useful distinction between damage that can be mended and damage that is permanently beyond repair.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does repairable come from?
The adjective was formed in English by combining "repair" with the suffix "-able," meaning "able to be." "Repair" comes through Old French from Latin reparare, composed of re-, meaning "again," and parare, meaning "to prepare." The same Latin root underlies related English words such as "reparable," "reparation," and "irreparable."
How repairable is actually used
Common in formal, technical, and professional contexts. It is often more specific than the informal word "fixable," especially when discussing machinery, buildings, vehicles, or physical damage.
Easily confused with repairable
A repairable object or defect can be corrected, whereas an irreparable one is too badly damaged to be fixed.