winnable

US: (win′ə bəl)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

win•na•ble  (win′ə bəl), adj. 

1. that can be won:
   a winnable war.

• win + -able 1535–45

win′na•bil′i•ty, n. 

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

win¹ /wɪn/   v., won/wʌn/  win•ning, n. 
v. 

1. to finish first, as in a race or contest;
   win a victory in: [~ + object]
   She won the marathon.
   [no object]
   He never wins.
2. to be victorious in (a battle, war, etc.):
   [~ + object] They won the war.
3. to achieve by effort, as through hard work, or by competition or luck: [~ + object]
   He won the prize.
   [no object]
   We never seem to win.
4. to gain, as by one's good qualities, hard work, or influence:
   [~ + object] She won the respect of her coworkers.
5. win over, to gain the favor, consent, or support of: [~ + object + over]
   Her arguments eventually won us over.
   [~ + over + object]
   She could win over even the most stubborn opponents.

n. [countable]

6. a victory, as in a game, a horse race, etc.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

win¹  (win), v., won, win•ning, n. 
v.i. 

1. to finish first in a race, contest, or the like.
2. to succeed by striving or effort:
   He applied for a scholarship and won.
3. to gain the victory;
   overcome an adversary:
   The home team won.

v.t. 

4. to succeed in reaching (a place, condition, etc.), esp. by great effort:
   They won the shore through a violent storm.
5. to get by effort, as through labor, competition, or conquest:
   He won his post after years of striving.
6. to gain (a prize, fame, etc.).
7. to be successful in (a game, battle, etc.).
8. to make (one's way), as by effort or ability.
9. to attain or reach (a point, goal, etc.).
10. to gain (favor, love, consent, etc.), as by qualities or influence.
11. to gain the favor, regard, or adherence of.
12. to gain the consent or support of;
    persuade (often fol. by over):
    The speech won them over to our side.
13. to persuade to marry;
    gain in marriage.
14. Mining, British Terms [Brit. Mining.]
    • to obtain (ore, coal, etc.).
    • to prepare (a vein, bed, mine, etc.) for working, by means of shafts or the like.
15. win out, to win or succeed, esp. over great odds;
    triumph:
    His finer nature finally won out.

n. 

16. a victory, as in a game or horse race.
17. Sport the position of the competitor who comes in first in a horse race, harness race, etc. Cf. place (def. 27b), show (def. 29).

• bef. 900; Middle English winnen (verb, verbal), Old English winnan to work, fight, bear; cognate with German gewinnen, Old Norse vinna, Gothic winnan

win′na•ble, adj. 
Synonyms

• 5. obtain, secure, acquire, achieve, reach, procure. See gain ¹.
• 12. convince.

win²  (win), v.t., winned, win•ning. [Scot. and North Eng.]

1. Scottish Terms to dry (hay, wood, etc.) by exposure to air and sun.

• perh. variant of winnow 1550–60