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irreversible

Definition

Irreversible means that something cannot be changed back to the way it was before. For example, if you break an egg, you cannot put it back together again. This is an irreversible change.

Irreversible changes are often caused by heat. For example, when you cook an egg, the heat causes the proteins in the egg to change, and they cannot be changed back to the way they were before.

How can the word be used?

The damage to the car was irreversible.

irreversible

Different forms of the word

Adjective: irreversible.

Adverb: irreversibly.

Noun: irreversibility.

Etymology

The word "irreversible" comes from the Latin words "in" (meaning "not") and "reversus" (meaning "turned back"). So, the word "irreversible" literally means "not turned back".

Question

What does irreversible mean?