Configurable

/kənˈfɪɡjərəbəl/ adjective

Definition

Able to be arranged, adjusted, or set up in different ways to suit specific needs.

Etymology

From configure (Latin com- + figurare, 'shape together') + -able suffix. Figurare comes from figura (figure, shape), so configure literally means 'to shape together.'

Kelly Says

This word became ubiquitous in computer science and software around the 1980s-90s because machines needed to be flexible—you couldn't ship one standard computer to everyone anymore, so 'configurable' became essential business language.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.