Advisable means worthy of being recommended or suggested as prudent or wise to do. It describes actions or choices that are appropriate, sensible, or in one's best interest, and that others would reasonably endorse or encourage. In usage, it often appears in formal or advisory contexts to indicate a course of action that is widely considered prudent.
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"It is advisable to verify the facts before making a decision."
"Purchasing travel insurance is advisable when you are traveling to remote countries."
"It would be advisable to consult a financial advisor before investing."
"In this situation, it is advisable to proceed with caution and document your steps."
Advisable comes from the verb advise, which traces to the Old French conseiller, from Latin advisare “to consider, consult, or give counsel.” The English noun advice and the adjective advise/advisory share Proto-Indo-European roots *ad- “toward” and *vid- “to see, know,” combining to mean “to consider toward a course of action” in medieval usage. By the 15th century, advisable emerged in English to describe something that ought to be done or recommended, reflecting the sense of prudence and guidance embedded in advise. Over time, the word broadened from explicit moral or statutory exhortations to everyday practical recommendations. Its suffix -able signals capability or suitability, reinforcing that the action is appropriate or wise to take in context. Today, advisable retains this normative nuance: something that is sensible, prudent, and fit for suggestion or endorsement by others. The word’s usage spans formal policy language, medical advisories, financial guidance, and everyday decision-making, always with the sense that the advised action is the safer or more beneficial option given the circumstances.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "advisable" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "advisable"
-ble sounds
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Pronounce as /ˈæd.vɪ.zə.bəl/ in US and UK, with primary stress on the second syllable: ad-VIS-a-ble. The first syllable is a light /æd/ sound, the second centers on /ˈvɪz/ or /ˈvaɪ/ depending on transcription conventions; most dictionaries show /ˈæd.vɪ.zə.bəl/ or /ˈæd.vaɪ.zə.bəl/? The standard, most accepted form is /ədˈvaɪ.zəbəl/ for some speakers, but American dictionaries typically render /ædˈvaɪ.zə.bəl/; ensure you follow your preferred dictionary’s IPA. In practice, stress on the syllable with “visi-” quality: the /ˈvaɪ/ or /ˈvɪ/ portion is prominent, and the ending “-ble” reduces to /zə.bəl/ in connected speech. Listen for the crisp /z/ before the final /ə/ and /l/.
Common errors: (1) Misplacing stress on the first syllable resulting in ad-VI-sa-ble rather than ad-VI-sa-ble; (2) Slurring the /z/ into a /s/ before -ble, leading to /dəˈvaɪsəbl/ rather than /ˈæd.vɪ.zə.bəl/; (3) Vowel quality in the first and second syllables: avoid reducing /æ/ too much or treating the middle as /aɪ/ in all dialects. Practice with the IPA: /ˈæd.vɪ.zə.bəl/ or /ədˈvaɪ.zə.bəl/, align mouth positions: open front vowel for /æ/, mid-central /ə/ in unaccented syllables.
US/UK/AU share the same approximate final form, but nuance matters: US often uses a clearer /ˈæd.vɪ.zə.bəl/ with a slightly reduced final syllable; UK tends to slightly longer vowels in the first two syllables and a more precise /z/ before the final /ə/. Australian often features a flatter vowel in the first syllable and a stronger schwa in the second, with non-rhotic tendencies affecting vowel lengths. In all, keep the stress on the second syllable and end with a clear /zə.bəl/.
Two main challenges: the mid-lexical schwa in -si- and the /z/ cluster before -able require precise tongue positioning so the /z/ remains voiceless but audible. The second syllable carries primary stress, so you must elevate and prolong /ɪ/ or /ɪ/ depending on the vowel quality, then smoothly connect to /zə/ and /bəl/. Practicing with controlled breathing and slow tempo helps you lock the sequence /dˈvɪ.zə.bəl/.
In connected speech, the initial /æd/ in many speakers is slightly reduced to a quick, brief onset /əd/ or even /əˈd/ in rapid speech. The primary cue remains the stressed second syllable; you’ll hear /ˈæd.vɪ.zə.bəl/ as the most stable form, but casual speech may reduce initial vowels. Focus on maintaining the /æ/ (or /ə/) quality in careful speech, then compress in fast talk without losing the core /ˈæd/ or /əˈd/ onset.
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