evolvability

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noun

The ability to evolve.

UncommonFirst used 20th c.Scrabble 23
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Meanings

nounevolvability (countable and uncountable, plural evolvabilities)

plural evolvabilities

  1. countableuncountablebiologyThe ability to evolve.First known use 20th c.

    Systems must be constantly poised for change: a potential for evolvability is essential if they are to respond to the vagaries of an uncertain future.

    2003, Adrian Woolfson, ‘Genetic Mountaineering’, London Review of Books, volume 25, number 3

Origin

From evolve + -ability.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

evolvability. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/evolvability

MLA

“evolvability.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/evolvability. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “evolvability,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/evolvability.

Source: evolvability on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.