stable
Adjective
Easy difficulty
What does “stable” mean?
adjective.(of an object or structure) not likely to give way or overturn; firmly fixed.
SAT Usage
the term is often used in contexts related to engineering, architecture, or economics, emphasizing reliability and consistency in structures or systems. It suggests a sense of security and permanence, contrasting with words like "volatile," which indicate instability or unpredictability.
Common Confusions
Stable implies a strong and secure condition unlikely to change, while precarious usually suggests a situation fraught with risk and instability, where collapse or failure is possible.
Do not choose stable if the context emphasizes fragility or instability rather than being not likely to give way or overturn; firmly fixed.
Example Sentences
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The patient's condition is now stable following the surgery.
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There were stalls for fourteen horses in the squire's stables.
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He was in a stable relationship.