Sustainable
adjective /səˈsteɪnəbəl/ — Able to continue long-term without causing harm.
Definition
Able to be maintained at a certain rate or level without exhausting resources or causing damage; also: environmentally sound.
Beyond the definition
Sustainable has two main meanings now — environmental (not harming the planet) and personal (not burning yourself out). A sustainable pace, a sustainable career, a sustainable business — all describe something designed to last without self-destruction.
Origin & history
From Latin sustinere — to hold up, support (sub- 'from below' + tenere 'to hold'). Something that can be held up over time.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
She realised her work pace wasn't sustainable — she'd need to change something before she broke.
A sustainable business model considers more than quarterly profit.
Sustainable habits are ones you can maintain forever, not just for January.
How to use it
This entry uses an adjective. Follow the examples for the nouns it describes and its position in the sentence.
Choose “Sustainable” when the meaning fits your context: Able to be maintained at a certain rate or level without exhausting resources or causing damage; also: environmentally sound.
Synonyms
viable, maintainable, durable, long-term, self-sustaining
Antonyms
unsustainable, short-term, exhausting
Related words
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Botanical Composition of Change
A deciduous tree shows bare twigs on one side and green leaves on another, all under a soft circle of sunlight and moonlight.
The cycle represented by the tree is inherently sustainable. It shows how the tree can be maintained through seasons of decay and growth without exhausting resources, demonstrating a balance that allows for the return to earth and the renewal of the canopy.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Sustainable" mean?
Sustainable is adjective meaning: Able to continue long-term without causing harm.. Able to be maintained at a certain rate or level without exhausting resources or causing damage; also: environmentally sound.
Where does the word "Sustainable" come from?
From Latin sustinere — to hold up, support (sub- 'from below' + tenere 'to hold'). Something that can be held up over time.