exhaustible
/ig'zɔ:stəbl/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Capable of being used up or depleted completely: Describes a resource, supply, or quantity that can be entirely consumed or run out through use.
- Capable of being exhausted in terms of discussion or investigation: Describes a topic or subject that can be fully discussed or explored, leaving no further aspects to consider.
Usage and Examples
- Describing a finite resource:
- Fossil fuels are an exhaustible source of energy.
- We must manage our exhaustible water reserves carefully.
- Describing a fully discussable topic (less common):
- The philosophical argument, though complex, is exhaustible.
- The committee found the list of issues to be exhaustible within a single meeting.
Advanced Usage
- "inherently exhaustible": Emphasizes that the nature of something is to be used up.
- Unlike solar power, coal is an inherently exhaustible resource.
- "practically exhaustible": Suggests that something can be depleted for all practical purposes, even if not theoretically absolute.
- The aquifer is exhaustible on a human timescale.
Variants and Related Words
- Exhaust (verb): To use up completely; to drain of resources or energy.
- The long journey will exhaust our supplies.
- Exhaustion (noun): The state of being completely used up or the act of using something up.
- The exhaustion of the mine led to the town's decline.
- Inexhaustible (adjective): The direct opposite; incapable of being used up.
- Her enthusiasm seems inexhaustible.
Synonyms
- Depletable: Capable of being reduced or used up.
- Finite: Having limits or bounds; not infinite.
- Limited: Restricted in size, amount, or extent.
Antonyms
- Inexhaustible: Incapable of being used up; limitless.
- Renewable: Capable of being replenished or restored.
- Infinite: Limitless or endless in space, extent, or size.
Adjective
- capable of being used up; capable of being exhausted
- our exhaustible reserves of fossil fuel
- capable of being used up