gradable: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2 (low frequency in general discourse, specialist in linguistics/academic contexts)Formal/Academic/Technical
Quick answer
What does “gradable” mean?
(of an adjective or adverb) capable of having different degrees of intensity, quality, or size.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
(of an adjective or adverb) capable of having different degrees of intensity, quality, or size.
In linguistics: referring to a word whose meaning can be modified by intensifiers (e.g., very, extremely, quite) and which can have comparative and superlative forms. More generally: capable of being arranged in or measured by grades or stages.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The term is used identically in both linguistics and general academic contexts.
Connotations
Neutral technical term in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both varieties, primarily confined to academic/linguistic writing.
Grammar
How to Use “gradable” in a Sentence
[be] + gradablegradable + noun (e.g., gradable adjective)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gradable” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (The word 'gradable' is not used as a verb.)
American English
- (The word 'gradable' is not used as a verb.)
adverb
British English
- (The word 'gradable' is very rarely, if ever, used as an adverb.)
American English
- (The word 'gradable' is very rarely, if ever, used as an adverb.)
adjective
British English
- 'Big' is a classic example of a gradable adjective.
- The criteria were deliberately designed to be gradable.
American English
- 'Tall' is a gradable property, while 'pregnant' is not.
- We need a more gradable system for assessing project risk.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in HR/performance contexts: 'The skills framework uses gradable competencies.'
Academic
Common in linguistics and semantics papers: 'The study focused on gradable versus non-gradable adjectives.'
Everyday
Extremely rare. Unlikely to be used outside of teaching/learning English grammar.
Technical
Standard term in linguistic description and analysis.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gradable”
- Using 'gradable' to describe people's abilities in a non-technical way (e.g., 'His skills are gradable' sounds odd). Confusing it with 'gradual' (which refers to slow progression). Overusing in general English where simpler words like 'measurable' or 'variable' would suffice.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, traditionally 'unique' is considered non-gradable (or absolute) because something is either one of a kind or it is not. However, in informal usage, people often say 'very unique' or 'quite unique', which is considered non-standard by prescriptive grammarians.
Yes. Many adverbs of manner are gradable (e.g., quickly, slowly, carefully). You can say 'very quickly', 'more carefully', etc.
The direct opposite in linguistics is 'non-gradable'. Other related terms are 'absolute' or 'ungradable'.
No. It is a useful meta-language term for studying or teaching English grammar, but it is not needed for everyday communication. Knowing the concept (that you can say 'very big' but not 'very dead') is more important than knowing the label.
(of an adjective or adverb) capable of having different degrees of intensity, quality, or size.
Gradable is usually formal/academic/technical in register.
Gradable: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡreɪdəbl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡreɪdəbəl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(none)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a GRADE in school – you can get different grades (A, B, C). A GRADABLE adjective is one you can give different 'grades' of intensity to (e.g., very hot, quite hot).
Conceptual Metaphor
MEASUREMENT/SCALE (language is a measurable substance; qualities exist on a sliding scale)
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a NON-gradable adjective?