What is stable? Pronunciation and usage in English

stable means . Learn how to pronounce and use stable through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of stable

stableadjective

/ˈsteɪbl/
Definition & pronunciation of stable

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "stable" in English. There are a couple of common pronunciations, and it depends slightly on where you are in the United States. Here's a breakdown:

1. The Most Common American Pronunciation (and generally considered "correct"):

  • ˈstæb(ə)l
    • ˈstæb: This part sounds like the word "stab" but with a longer "a" sound – like in "father." Think of the "a" as in "apple."
    • ə: This is a schwa sound – a very short, neutral vowel sound. It's like the "a" in "about" or "sofa." It's often dropped in casual speech.
    • l: Pronounced as a regular "l" sound.

2. A Southern American Pronunciation (often heard in the South):

  • ˈsteɪb(ə)l
    • ˈsteɪb: The "a" sounds like the "a" in "say."
    • ə: Again, the schwa sound.
    • l: Pronounced as a regular "l."

Here's a phonetic breakdown that might help:

  • ˈstæb(ə)l: (Think: "stab-uh-l")

Resources for Hearing the Pronunciation:

To summarize: Aim for the first pronunciation (ˈstæb(ə)l) as it's the most widely accepted, but don't worry too much about it – native speakers will understand you either way!

Do you want me to:

  • Give you some example sentences using "stable"?
  • Explain the difference in pronunciation between various English accents?

Usage and examples with the word stable in English

Let's break down how to use the word "stable" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with several different meanings! Here's a breakdown, categorized for clarity:

1. Physical Stability – Buildings & Structures:

  • Meaning: Firm, secure, and unlikely to fall or shift.
  • Examples:
    • "The old house was incredibly stable, built with thick stone walls."
    • "We need a stable foundation for the new building."
    • "The bridge is designed to be stable under heavy traffic."

2. Equine Stability – Horses & Stables:

  • Meaning: A place where horses are kept; also, in a state of balance for a horse.
  • Examples:
    • “We visited a beautiful stable filled with elegant horses.” (The building)
    • “The jockey worked hard to keep the horse stable during the race.” (Maintaining balance)
    • "The horse seemed stable after its rest." (Calm and balanced)

3. Stability (General – Emotional, Mental, or Social):

  • Meaning: A state of being calm, secure, and consistent. It implies reliability and a lack of fluctuation.
  • Examples:
    • "She’s found a stable relationship after a series of tumultuous ones." (Reliable, consistent)
    • "He needs a stable environment to focus on his work." (Predictable, not disruptive)
    • "The government is working to create a more stable economy." (Resilient, not prone to collapse)
    • "After years of anxiety, he finally felt a stable sense of self." (Consistent self-perception)

4. Scientific & Technical Stability:

  • Meaning: Maintaining a consistent state or value over time. (Often used in chemistry and physics)
  • Examples:
    • "The solution needs to be stable at room temperature." (It shouldn’t change)
    • “The compound’s stability depends on the presence of a catalyst.” (Its consistency depends on something)

5. Figurative Stability – A Process or System:

  • Meaning: Reliable and consistently producing the same results.
  • Examples:
    • "The medication provided a stable supply of oxygen to the brain." (Reliable supply)
    • "The software update created a more stable system." (More reliable & less prone to errors)

Key Considerations & Tips:

  • Context is Crucial: The meaning of "stable" depends entirely on how it's used in the sentence.
  • Synonyms: Consider these synonyms depending on the specific meaning:
    • Firm
    • Secure
    • Reliable
    • Consistent
    • Steady
    • Resilient
  • Antonyms: Words that mean the opposite include: unstable, fluctuating, erratic, unreliable.

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • In what context are you trying to use the word "stable"? (e.g., Are you writing a story? Giving a presentation? Just trying to learn for fun?)

Synonyms for the word stable

Practice with vocabulary stable

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The company's financial performance remained remarkably ______ despite the economic downturn.
  2. Achieving a healthy work-life balance requires a ______ commitment to setting boundaries.
  3. For long-term growth, it's crucial to establish a ______ customer base that provides recurring revenue.
  4. The architect designed the bridge to withstand strong winds and seismic activity, ensuring its structural ______.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (There may be multiple correct answers)

  1. Which of the following describes a stable political climate? a) Frequent changes in government leadership b) Predictable policy decisions c) A high degree of social unrest d) Consistent economic growth

  2. To maintain a stable connection during a video conference, what might be necessary? a) A high-speed internet plan b) Reducing background applications c) A fluctuating Wi-Fi signal d) Using a wired Ethernet connection

  3. Which of these situations implies something is stable? a) Market prices showing significant daily fluctuations. b) A patient's vital signs remaining within a healthy range for hours. c) A team's project timeline constantly being revised. d) A software system running smoothly without crashes for months.

  4. Which words best describe a person who is generally dependable? a) Erratic b) Reliable c) Inconsistent d) Trustworthy

  5. When designing a robust system, what qualities are essential? a) Fragility b) Resilience c) Vulnerability d) Durability

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Rewrite the sentence, incorporating a form of "stable": The company has achieved a state where its operations are consistently reliable and predictable.

  2. Rewrite the sentence, incorporating "stable": After the initial turbulence, the market conditions became much steadier.

  3. Rewrite the sentence without using "stable" or any related forms, finding a suitable replacement word: Despite the unexpected challenges, her emotional state remained calm and unshaken.

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. stable
  2. consistent
  3. stable
  4. integrity

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. b) Predictable policy decisions, d) Consistent economic growth
  2. a) A high-speed internet plan, b) Reducing background applications, d) Using a wired Ethernet connection
  3. b) A patient's vital signs remaining within a healthy range for hours., d) A software system running smoothly without crashes for months.
  4. b) Reliable, d) Trustworthy
  5. b) Resilience, d) Durability

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The company has achieved operational stability.
  2. After the initial turbulence, the market conditions became much more stable.
  3. Despite the unexpected challenges, her emotional state remained composed and unshaken.

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