Skip to main content
formalizable

formalizable

1 8.1
Can be written using clear rules or a logical system
  • adjective
  • /ˈfɔːrməlaɪzəbl/
  • Specialized
: formalizable
  • In general, there isn't any formalizable account of truth.

Examples

  • And first of all, for this overwhelming reason: philosophy is spoken and written in a natural language, not in an absolutely formalizable and universal language.

    Blog text (10)
  • The theory was finally made formalizable through rigorous mathematical proofs.

  • Many scientific concepts can be formalizable using logical frameworks.

  • In computer science, algorithms are often formalizable to ensure clarity and precision.

Surface Forms

formalizable positive
formalizabler comparative
formalizablest superlative

Morphology

formalizable = formalize (transparent) = formal + ize + able

Adding the productive suffix '-able' to 'formalize' yields the predictable meaning 'able to be formalized'; the derivation is regular.

Etymology

Formalizable comes from the common word form, which means 'shape' or 'structure', plus the parts -ize ('make') and -able ('can'). So, if something is formalizable it can be 'made into a clear form' or 'expressed with rules', which is why we use it for things that can be put into a formal system.