Word: immutable (adjective)

Associations

"Immutable" means something that cannot be changed or altered. It is often used to describe laws, facts, or qualities that stay the same over time.

• The laws of physics are immutable. This means they do not change no matter where or when you are.
• His opinion on the matter was immutable; he wouldn’t change his mind.
• In computer programming, some data types are immutable, meaning once created, they cannot be changed.

A well-known synonym is "unchangeable." The difference is that "immutable" is more formal and often used in technical or scientific contexts, while "unchangeable" is more common in everyday speech.

Substitution

You can use words like:

• unchangeable (more common)
• permanent (focuses on lasting a long time)
• fixed (emphasizes something set and not moving) Using "permanent" might suggest something lasts forever, but "immutable" emphasizes that it cannot be changed at all, not just for a long time.

Deconstruction

• Root: "mut-" from Latin "mutare" meaning "to change"
• Prefix: "im-" meaning "not"
• Suffix: "-able" meaning "able to be" So, "immutable" literally means "not able to be changed."

Inquiry

• Can you think of any laws or rules in your life that feel immutable?
• How would you describe a person’s character if you said it was immutable?
• Are there things in nature that you think are immutable? Why?