What does repeatable mean?
Repeatable is an adjective describing something that can be repeated or that happens more than once. It can also carry a technical meaning: a process, measurement, or result is repeatable when performing it again under the same conditions produces the same outcome. In everyday use, the word may suggest a recurring pattern, such as a repeatable cycle or a repeatable sequence of events, without necessarily implying that the result is identical each time. The related sense of consistency is important in science and industry, where researchers use repeatable results to distinguish a dependable finding from an isolated observation. Repeatable is closely related to reproducible, but reproducible often focuses specifically on recreating a result, while repeatable more broadly describes the capacity for repetition. The word is common in formal and technical registers and is generally neutral, although it can imply predictability or lack of variation.
adjectiveAble to be repeated, or occurring more than once. In technical and scientific contexts, it may also mean capable of producing the same result when the same procedure is performed again.
- Able to be repeated or performed again.
- Occurring more than once or recurring.
- Consistent enough to produce the same result when repeated.
"The experiment produced repeatable results, allowing the team to confirm the finding."
"The new procedure is repeatable, so other laboratories should be able to reproduce the findings."
"The machine has a repeatable cycle, completing each operation at precisely the same interval."
Repeatable is a quiet promise: do it again, and you should get the same result.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does repeatable come from?
Repeatable was formed in English by combining repeat with the suffix -able, a development modeled on Latin -abilis, meaning capable of being done. Repeat comes through Old French and ultimately from Latin repetere, meaning to do or say again. The same Latin root also appears in repetition, repetitive, and repertory.
Related word forms
How repeatable is actually used
The adjective is neutral in general use but is especially common in scientific, technical, industrial, and procedural contexts. When used to describe results or performance, it usually suggests consistency and reliability. It is often interchangeable with reproducible in technical writing, though reproducible can emphasize the ability to recreate a result independently.
Easily confused with repeatable
Repeatable describes something that can be repeated or consistently reproduced, whereas repetitive describes something that occurs repeatedly, often in a tiresome way.