exhaustible

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "exhaustible" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that can be used up or depleted, such as a natural resource or a supply of something. For example, "Oil is a finite, exhaustible resource, so we must use it wisely and conserve it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

But the supply of golden, even good, oldies is exhaustible, if not already exhausted.

The New York Times

More to the point, this simple truth from climate science means limiting cumulative consumption of (say) carbon to a particular number; and so carbon emissions become an "exhaustible resource" and mitigation becomes an exhaustable resource problem.

The New York Times

People alive today will pass on a stock of exhaustible and other natural resources as well as machines, buildings and social institutions.

The Economist

THIS week's interesting economics research: Time as a trade barrier (David Hummels and Georg Schaur) Oil prices, exhaustible resources, and economic growth (James Hamilton) Getting up to speed on the financial crisis: a one-weekend-reader's guide (Gary Gorton and Andrew Metrick) What explains trends in labor supply among U.S. undergraduates?

The Economist

These are important raw materials for the steel industry, among others, and China restricts their exports on the grounds that they are exhaustible resources.

The Economist

It may be divided into two categories: genetic industry, including the production of raw materials that may be increased by human intervention in the production process; and extractive industry, including the production of exhaustible raw materials that cannot be augmented through cultivation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Such expense is called depreciation or, for exhaustible natural resources, depletion.

Encyclopedia Britannica

How does the price system conserve these exhaustible resources?

Encyclopedia Britannica

A viewer's avidity will likely prove exhaustible.

The New Yorker

He, too, finds these indulgences empty and exhaustible: literature stops seeming interesting, and sex gets more difficult every year.

The New Yorker

But her great glory, and the thing that may place her in the pantheon, is that she asks her preteen readers to face the hardest questions of life, and does not shy away from the possibility that the answers may be sad: that loss may be permanent, evil ever-present, good exhaustible.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "exhaustible" to describe not only physical resources but also abstract concepts like patience or goodwill when their limits are relevant.

Common error

Avoid using "exhaustible" when you mean "exhausting". "Exhaustible" means capable of being used up, while "exhausting" means causing fatigue. For example, say "the supply of patience is exhaustible" not "the conversation was exhaustible".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "exhaustible" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns, describing their capacity to be depleted or used up. Ludwig confirms this usage with numerous examples in different contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Encyclopedias

23%

Science

26%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "exhaustible" is an adjective used to describe something that can be used up or depleted. As Ludwig highlights, it is commonly used in contexts related to natural resources, economics, and general discussions about limitations. While grammatically straightforward, it's essential to distinguish it from "exhausting". This guide provides insights into its correct usage, related phrases, common errors, and contextual nuances, ensuring clarity and precision in your writing. Ludwig confirms that "exhaustible" is a correct and acceptable term in English, with a range of applications in both formal and informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

depletable

Emphasizes the act of depleting or using up a resource.

finite

Highlights the limited nature of something.

limited

Focuses on the restricted quantity or extent.

consumable

Stresses the ability to be consumed or used up.

non-renewable

Specifically refers to resources that cannot be replenished.

dwindling

Suggests a gradual reduction in quantity or availability.

vanishing

Implies a complete disappearance over time.

terminable

Highlights the capacity to be brought to an end or exhausted.

ephemeral

Suggests a short lifespan or temporary existence.

transient

Focuses on the fleeting or temporary nature of something.

FAQs

How is "exhaustible" used in a sentence?

The word "exhaustible" describes something that can be completely used up or depleted. For example, "Coal is an exhaustible resource" or "Even patience can be exhaustible".

What is the opposite of "exhaustible"?

The opposite of "exhaustible" is "inexhaustible", which means something that cannot be used up or depleted.

What are some synonyms for "exhaustible"?

Synonyms for "exhaustible" include "depletable", "finite", and "limited".

In what contexts is the word "exhaustible" most commonly used?

The term "exhaustible" is frequently used when discussing resources in economics, environmental science, and general news reporting related to natural resources. It's also applicable to abstract concepts that have limits, such as energy or patience.