definable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "definable" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to something that can be clearly defined or described. For example: "The concept is definable within the context of the theory." Alternative expressions include "describable" and "identifiable."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

For example, the French analysts Baire, Borel and Lebesgue criticised the Axiom of Choice on the basis of a definabilist methodology, according to which the existence of an object depends on its definability: functions should be definable rules, membership of a set should given in a definable way, etc.

SEP

We define the class \(\mathcal{F}\) of functions definable by limited recursion on notation to be the least class containing \(\mathcal{F}_0\) and closed under composition and the foregoing scheme.

SEP

Another informal such paradoxical situation is obtained if we define an integer to be the "least integer not definable in less than 100 words".

SEP

Of the £375bn the Bank of England created to "keep markets liquid" in the process of quantitative easing, with no definable result.

The Guardian

It argues that there is indeed a definable investor class, with distinctive priorities notably a preference for school vouchers, tax cuts and less regulation.

The Economist

Normal politics is now resuming; Labour is again a definable alternative to the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition.

The Economist

"They own that market," says Charlene Li of Forrester, a consultancy.This is due in large part to GlobalSpec's definable customer base.

The Economist

Danny Allan Cordunerr), a dentist with a definable gift for Jewish jokes, and his loving wife Rachel Caroline Gruberr), who was born on an Israeli kibbutz, are jolted out of their Guardian-reading daily routine by the shift toward religion of their layabout son, Josh Ben Caplann), a 28-year-old maths graduate who still lives at home.

The Economist

There are plenty of equally definable people in a similarly definable plight in other parts of the world.

The Economist

For a few hours, the government itself seemed headless, as the secret services spirited away the president and leaders of Congress to secure, secret spots.Yet the assault of September 11th presents America not with a military challenge of the old definable sort but with a dilemma of a new type.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The main topic was the study of the so-called regularity properties, as well as other structural properties, of simply-definable sets of real numbers, an area of mathematics that is known as Descriptive Set Theory.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "definable" when you want to emphasize the possibility and ease of providing a clear and precise definition for a concept or term. Ensure the context implies that a definition either exists or can be readily created.

Common error

Avoid using "definable" when you actually mean "defined". "Definable" indicates the potential for definition, while "defined" indicates that a definition has already been established. For example, say "the term is well-defined" not "the term is well-definable" if a definition already exists.

Linguistic Context

Definable functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate that they possess the characteristic of being able to be defined. Ludwig AI validates this by presenting numerous examples across various domains where "definable" qualifies a noun.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

3%

Unknown/unmatched sources

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "definable" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective that indicates the potential for something to be clearly defined. Ludwig AI's analysis reveals its common usage in science and news media, reflecting its value in contexts requiring precision. While primarily formal, "definable" serves the crucial function of specifying the capability for clear definition. Remember to use "definable" when referring to the potential for definition, and avoid confusing it with "defined", which indicates a definition already exists.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

able to be defined

Rephrases the term using a more verbose construction with the same core meaning.

capable of being defined

Emphasizes the capability aspect of being defined.

subject to definition

Highlights that the term can undergo definition.

susceptible to definition

Similar to 'subject to', but with a slight nuance of vulnerability to definition.

describable

Focuses on the ability to be described, which is closely related to being defined.

explicable

Indicates that something can be explained clearly, which is a broader term than strictly definable.

determinable

Suggests that something can be ascertained or decided upon, sharing some overlap with being definable.

ascertainable

Similar to determinable, focusing on the possibility of establishing something definitively.

clearly outlined

Emphasizes the clarity of the definition, rather than the ability to define.

precisely defined

Highlights the precision and exactness of the definition.

FAQs

How can I use "definable" in a sentence?

You can use "definable" to describe something that is capable of being clearly defined or described. For example: "The concept is "definable" within the context of this theory."

What are some alternatives to using "definable"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "able to be defined", "describable", or "explicable".

What is the difference between "definable" and "defined"?

"Definable" refers to the capacity or potential to be defined, whereas "defined" indicates that a definition has already been established. Therefore, use "definable" when discussing the possibility of defining something and "defined" when referring to something that has already been given a specific meaning.

Is "definable" a formal or informal term?

"Definable" is a neutral term that can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it is more commonly found in academic, scientific, and professional settings where precise language is important.