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interchangeable

interchangeable

24 4.8
A person or thing you can use instead of another that still works the same
  • adjective
  • /ˌɪntərˈʧeɪndʒəbl/
translation icon : intercambiable
  • The parts in this machine are designed to be interchangeable, allowing for easy repairs.
  • interchangeable parts
  • interchangeable lenses
  • interchangeable terms

But they're not, they're not interchangeable with the program itself.

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Examples

  • The packaging is all refillable and it's interchangeable, so you can swap them around if you want.

  • For each critical element, there were seven interchangeable alternatives that generated 343 different sentences.

    Academic text (2011)
  • But whether particular figures are interchangeable in that role is a is a key question.

  • And the main reason is that they have these interchangeable T lock closures.

  • But there were five vibrant, interchangeable languages going on the whole time.

  • Can simple biological systems be built from standard interchangeable parts and operate in living cells?

  • Teachers also need to become aware of how to make this form of assessment interchangeable with their instruction.

    Academic text (1997)
  • The national landscape is interchangeable, as are the dances and the customs.

    Academic text (1993)
  • They actually seem to be interchangeable parts, which is remarkable.

  • Steps for preparing for close reading are as follows (steps 1 and 2 are interchangeable):

    Academic text (2013)

Synonyms

replaceable
vsinterchangeable
15 3.3

Someone can change it for another thing or person when needed

emphasizes mutual exchange that preserves suitability and meaning
fungible
vsinterchangeable
  • Specialized
5 9.2

Can be exchanged for another item of the same type, like a gold bar

is broader, meaning swap without loss beyond commercial goods
exchangeable
vsinterchangeable
1 4.0

Able to be traded or replaced by a similar thing

stresses interchange that keeps function and meaning rather than trade
swappable
vsinterchangeable
1 3.9

Can be exchanged for another of the same kind

is a more general mutual replacement keeping full function or meaning
substitutable
vsinterchangeable
5.9

You can replace it with something similar without changing what it does or means

is the mutual exchange that preserves function and suitability
switchable
vsinterchangeable
4.0

Can be changed for a similar part or version

focuses on mutual substitution that guarantees no loss of suitability
interconvertible
vsinterchangeable
7.7

Things that can change into each other

focuses instead on direct exchange without loss of function or meaning

How Interchangeable

identical
237 2.9
interchangeable
24 4.8
compatible
112 4.1
incompatible
41 6.2

Surface Forms

interchangeable positive

Morphology

interchangeable = interchange (transparent) = inter + change + able

The meaning is directly derived from 'interchange' + '-able': capable of being interchanged or substituted.

Etymology

Interchangeable comes from the parts inter- meaning 'between', change meaning 'to swap', and -able meaning 'can be done'. So something interchangeable can be 'swapped between' other parts, and you can use one in place of another without losing how it works.