viable

UK: /ˈvaɪəb^əl/ US: /ˈvaɪəbəl/ ,(vī′ə bəl)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

vi•a•ble /ˈvaɪəbəl/   adj. 

1. capable of living.
2. Physiology (of a fetus) sufficiently developed to be capable of living, under normal conditions, outside the uterus.
3. Botany, having the ability to grow or develop:
   a viable seedling.
4. that can be used or made useful; practical;
   workable:
   a viable alternative plan.
5. capable of winning elections:
   a viable political party.

vi•a•bil•i•ty/ˌvaɪəˈbɪlɪti/  ; n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

vi•a•ble  (vī′ə bəl), adj. 

1. capable of living.
2. Physiology
   • physically fitted to live.
   • (of a fetus) having reached such a stage of development as to be capable of living, under normal conditions, outside the uterus.
3. Botany able to live and grow.
4. vivid;
   real;
   stimulating, as to the intellect, imagination, or senses:
   a period of history that few teachers can make viable for students.
5. practicable;
   workable:
   a viable alternative.
6. having the ability to grow, expand, develop, etc.:
   a new and viable country.

• Latin vīta) + -able -able
• French, equivalent. to vie life (
• 1820–30

vi′a•bil′i•ty, n. 
vi′a•bly, adv. 
Synonyms

• 5. practical, feasible, usable, adaptable.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

viable / ˈvaɪəb^əl/ adjective

1. capable of becoming actual, useful, etc; practicable: a viable proposition
2. (of seeds, eggs, etc) capable of normal growth and development
3. (of a fetus) having reached a stage of development at which further development can occur independently of the mother

Etymology: 19th Century: from French, from vie life, from Latin vīta

ˌviaˈbility noun

ˈviably adverb