Skip to main content
alterability

alterability

7.2
The ability to change
  • noun
  • /ˌɔːltəˈrəbɪlɪti/
translation icon : alterabilidad
  • The alterability of digital files makes them easy to update or revise.

Examples

  • Some legal contracts are intentionally designed to have a low degree of alterability.

  • Genetic alterability is a key factor in the evolution of species.

  • The alterability of the plan surprised everyone.

  • We should consider the alterability of our strategies.

  • The alterability of the contract allows for modifications based on changing circumstances.

  • An important aspect of successful projects is their alterability to adapt to new requirements.

  • The alterability of software applications enables frequent updates to improve functionality.

Synonyms

flexibility
vsalterability
153 3.6

Ability to change plans or actions easily to fit new situations

is the neutral capacity to change, not the personal willingness
adaptability
vsalterability
11 3.9

Being able to change and work well in new situations

describes change capacity but not specifically active adjustment
fluidity
vsalterability
8 5.0

How easily someone or something changes to fit new situations

points to simple capacity to change, not smooth or easy adaptation
plasticity
vsalterability
  • Specialized
4 6.3

The ability to change or adapt easily in new situations

is the basic capacity to change rather than readiness to adapt
mutability
vsalterability
1 8.4

Being able to change often or easily

is the everyday general term for that same quality
adjustability
vsalterability
1 3.8

How easy it is to change something to fit different needs

is general ability to change rather than deliberate fitting to needs
changeability
vsalterability
1 4.6

How often or easily something becomes different, for example the weather

is the general capacity to change rather than emphasizing frequency
mutableness
vsalterability
9.9

A quality of being able to change

is identical in sense but is a less common variant
modifiability
vsalterability
7.0

How easy it is to change something

is broader, covering any capacity to change, not only planned edits
changeableness
vsalterability
7.6

A quality of becoming different often and without warning

is the neutral capacity for change rather than quick unpredictability
changefulness
vsalterability
  • Archaic
7.5

How often something becomes different, like the weather

refers to the basic ability to change, not the likelihood
variableness
vsalterability
7.2

A quality of changing often, like rain or mood

is the broader potential to be changed rather than observed variation
transformability
vsalterability
6.5

Ability of a thing to be changed in shape, look, or use

is general changeability, not limited to form or function shifts
transmutability
vsalterability
9.9

The ability of something to change into a different form

is broader change capacity, not only shifts of substance or nature
flexibleness
vsalterability
3.9

The ability to change to fit new situations

is the general capacity to change rather than the trait of bending

Antonyms

1 8.5

A state of not changing over time

A state in which something like a rule cannot change

How Changeable

variability
29 5.7
alterability
7.2
stability
363 3.1
permanence
15 5.5

Surface Forms

alterability singular

Morphology

alterability = alterable (transparent) = alter + able + ity

Formed by standard noun derivation from the adjective 'alterable' (alter + -able) with predictable meaning 'the quality of being able to be changed'.

Etymology

Alterability comes from the root alter, which originally meant 'other' and appears in familiar words like alternate and alternative, and the English verb alter means 'to change'. So alterability is the ability to be changed or to become 'other'.