What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
labile
Example
The stock market is labile and can fluctuate rapidly. [labile: adjective]
Example
She has a labile personality and can be easily affected by others' opinions. [labile: adjective]
Example
The labile compound quickly decomposed when exposed to air. [labile: adjective]
mutable
Example
The mutable nature of technology means that new advancements are constantly being made. [mutable: adjective]
Example
People's opinions and beliefs are often mutable and can change over time. [mutable: adjective]
Example
In Python, lists are mutable objects that can be modified after creation. [mutable: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Mutable is more commonly used than labile in everyday language. Mutable is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while labile is less common and is typically used in medical or chemical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between labile and mutable?
Both labile and mutable can be used in scientific or technical contexts, but labile is more specialized and may be perceived as more formal or technical than mutable.
