immutable

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "immutable" is both correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or object that cannot or is not intended to be changed. For example, you could say, "The laws of nature are immutable; it is impossible for humans to change them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's why ImmutableJS, for example, sticks to a more object-based style of interacting with immutable data.

The Guardian

With immutable dictionaries I can declare the base values and then create a new immutable dictionary that is guaranteed to have the base values plus whatever I want to add.

The Guardian

I suspect there are many more libraries that I am unaware of (or perhaps even immutable support in the core of the language): please share your experiences or suggestions in the comments below.

The Guardian

Racists are evil people who believe in immutable differences between groups; ergo, no such difference can exist.

The Guardian

Immutable data structures are the answer.

The Guardian

They are bowled over by the technology that underpins the currency, a decentralised, immutable ledger called a "blockchain" that allows people to transact business without the intermediation of a trusted third party.Banks, which often play just such a third-party role, are watching all these developments closely.

The Economist

But diamonds are not as immutable as the speed of light, notes Dr Cohen.

The Economist

Too many German leaders seem to take the economy's export orientation as immutable.

The Economist

And even if there were one, the banking industry has shown how remarkably elastic European countries can be in interpreting a single, supposedly immutable set of rules.A better starting-point for Europe might be a set of new EU directives to close loopholes in the existing regulation.

The Economist

By the early 1990s the crack scare had faded, but a series of increasingly ferocious laws, passed in the second half of the 1980s, set the framework within which Mr Bush's war on drugs is still waged today.This framework is not immutable, although formidable vested interests—including the police and prison officers now back tough drugs laws.

The Economist

Many voters might then abandon his party in disgust.Nothing in politics is immutable.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing concepts in technical fields like programming or law, use "immutable" to clearly denote elements that should not be altered after creation. This helps prevent unintended side effects and ensures data integrity.

Common error

Avoid using "immutable" when you actually mean "immortal". "Immutable" refers to something unchangeable, while "immortal" means something that lives forever. Using them interchangeably will result in the incorrect usage of "immutable".

Linguistic Context

The adjective "immutable" primarily functions to describe a noun as being unchangeable or not subject to alteration. Ludwig examples show its use in contexts ranging from legal frameworks to scientific laws, emphasizing its descriptive role.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Reference

5%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "immutable" is an adjective signifying something that is unchangeable and not subject to alteration. According to Ludwig AI, this term is grammatically sound and suitable for use in written English. It is frequently encountered in news, scientific, and formal business contexts, where it serves to emphasize the fixed nature of laws, principles, or policies. Alternative phrases include "unchangeable", "fixed", and "permanent". When using "immutable", remember it means not capable of being changed, unlike "immortal", which describes something that lives forever.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unchangeable

Focuses on the inability to be changed, emphasizing a lack of possibility for alteration.

unalterable

Stresses the impossibility of making any alterations or modifications.

fixed

Suggests a state of being firmly in place and not subject to movement or alteration.

permanent

Implies a lasting state that is intended to continue indefinitely.

invariable

Emphasizes a lack of variation or fluctuation, suggesting a consistent and predictable state.

irrevocable

Highlights the finality of a decision or action, emphasizing that it cannot be reversed.

constant

Highlights continuous existence or occurrence without significant change.

set in stone

Informal way to suggest that a decision or plan is final and cannot be changed.

enduring

Indicates lasting existence or effect over a significant period.

established

Indicates something is firmly settled and recognized, resistant to change.

FAQs

How to use "immutable" in a sentence?

You can use "immutable" to describe something that cannot be changed. For example, "The laws of physics are considered "immutable"" or "The company's policy on refunds is "unalterable"".

What can I say instead of "immutable"?

Alternatives to "immutable" include "unchangeable", "fixed", "permanent", or "irrevocable depending on the context".

Which is correct, "immutable law" or "unmutable law"?

"Immutable law" is the correct phrase. "Unmutable" is not a standard English word, while "immutable" means not capable of being changed.

What's the difference between "immutable" and "static"?

"Immutable" means unchangeable after creation. "Static", in programming, often refers to something that is fixed in memory allocation or scope but not necessarily unchangeable. So, while something "unchangeable" could be static, static things aren't always "immutable".