Irreducible
adjective
Not able to be reduced or made smaller or simpler.
The equation is in its simplest, irreducible form.
Often appears as...
- irreducible complexity
- irreducible minimum
Usage tips
Academic
adjective
Not able to be changed or altered.
In mathematics, an irreducible fraction is one that cannot be reduced to a simpler form.
Often appears as...
- irreducible polynomial
- irreducible factor
Usage tips
Academic
adjective
Incapable of being transformed into, or replaced by, another form or type.
In philosophy, some believe that consciousness is an irreducible aspect of reality.
Often appears as...
- irreducible aspect
- irreducible reality
Usage tips
Academic
adjective
Not able to be reduced or made smaller or simpler.
The equation is in its simplest, irreducible form.
Often appears as...
- irreducible complexity
- irreducible minimum
Usage tips
Academic
adjective
Not able to be changed or altered.
In mathematics, an irreducible fraction is one that cannot be reduced to a simpler form.
Often appears as...
- irreducible polynomial
- irreducible factor
Usage tips
Academic
adjective
Incapable of being transformed into, or replaced by, another form or type.
In philosophy, some believe that consciousness is an irreducible aspect of reality.
Often appears as...
- irreducible aspect
- irreducible reality
Usage tips
Academic
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Cannot Simplify
Use 'irreducible' when something cannot be broken down further or simplified, in both physical and abstract senses.
The theory presents an irreducible truth that stands on its own.
Pro Tip 2/3Serious Tone
'Irreducible' often appears in serious or scholarly contexts, rather than everyday conversation.
The researcher explored the irreducible principles of the phenomenon.
Pro Tip 3/3Minimum State
The term can imply that something has been reduced to the lowest possible level.
The entity's operating costs are at an irreducible minimum.
Pro Tip 1/3Cannot Simplify
Use 'irreducible' when something cannot be broken down further or simplified, in both physical and abstract senses.
The theory presents an irreducible truth that stands on its own.
Pro Tip 2/3Serious Tone
'Irreducible' often appears in serious or scholarly contexts, rather than everyday conversation.
The researcher explored the irreducible principles of the phenomenon.
Pro Tip 3/3Minimum State
The term can imply that something has been reduced to the lowest possible level.
The entity's operating costs are at an irreducible minimum.
Pro Tip 1/3Cannot Simplify
Use 'irreducible' when something cannot be broken down further or simplified, in both physical and abstract senses.
The theory presents an irreducible truth that stands on its own.
Pro Tip 2/3Serious Tone
'Irreducible' often appears in serious or scholarly contexts, rather than everyday conversation.
The researcher explored the irreducible principles of the phenomenon.
Pro Tip 3/3Minimum State
The term can imply that something has been reduced to the lowest possible level.
The entity's operating costs are at an irreducible minimum.
Compare with
absoluteessentialfundamentinalienableindivisibleinevitableintrinsicuncompromising
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Video examples
Computing a theory of...
a lot of long-standing mysteries in science. It also brings up new issues, though, like computational irreducibility. I mean, we're used to having science let us predict things, but something like this is fundamentally irreducible. The only way to find its outcome
Video examples
Computing a theory of...
a lot of long-standing mysteries in science. It also brings up new issues, though, like computational irreducibility. I mean, we're used to having science let us predict things, but something like this is fundamentally irreducible. The only way to find its outcome
Example 1 of 1
Quote examples
Paul Harding
American Author
Write as precisely and as lucidly and as richly as you can about what you find truly mysterious and irreducible about human experience, and not obscurely about what will prove to be received opinion or cliche once the reader figures out your stylistic conceit. There's all the difference in the world between mystery and mystification.
Quote examples
Brene Brown
American Author
A deep sense of love and belonging is an irreducible need of all people. We are biologically, cognitively, physically, and spiritually wired to love, to be loved, and to belong. When those needs are not met, we don't function as we were meant to. We break. We fall apart. We numb. We ache. We hurt others. We get sick.
Quote examples
Kehinde Wiley
American Artist
There is something that always will be true about painting and sculpture - that in order to really get it, you have to show up. That is something that is both sad and kind of beautiful about it. It remains analog. It remains special and irreducible.
Quote examples
Rachel Kushner
American Writer
Most go to prison not on account of their irreducible uniqueness as people but because they are part of a marginalized sector of the population who never had a chance, who were slated for it early on.
Quote examples
Pawel Pawlikowski
Polish Director
For me, good films and good books are irreducible to a lesson. You can't just kind of translate them into one statement. On the contrary, the more you do that, the less wisdom in art there is.
Quote examples
Reid Hoffman
American Businessman
I do think there are some irreducible inefficiencies in government. But we still need to have government; we still need to make government effective if we can.
Quote examples
Lynne Ramsay
Scottish Director
I find it difficult to write with reference to the most memorable moments in film, when for me the best moments in films are truly irreducible.
Quote examples
Stephen Jay Gould
American Scientist
All evolutionary biologists know that variation itself is nature's only irreducible essence... I had to place myself amidst the variation.
Quote examples
Ann Coulter
American Journalist
I thought the irreducible requirements of Republicanism were being for life, small government, and a strong national defense.
Quote examples
Carroll O'Connor
American Actor
One irreducible residual of 38 years in the business is the number of lasting, loving friendships I have made.
Quote examples
Paul Harding
American Author
Write as precisely and as lucidly and as richly as you can about what you find truly mysterious and irreducible about human experience, and not obscurely about what will prove to be received opinion or cliche once the reader figures out your stylistic conceit. There's all the difference in the world between mystery and mystification.
Quote examples
Brene Brown
American Author
A deep sense of love and belonging is an irreducible need of all people. We are biologically, cognitively, physically, and spiritually wired to love, to be loved, and to belong. When those needs are not met, we don't function as we were meant to. We break. We fall apart. We numb. We ache. We hurt others. We get sick.
Quote examples
Kehinde Wiley
American Artist
There is something that always will be true about painting and sculpture - that in order to really get it, you have to show up. That is something that is both sad and kind of beautiful about it. It remains analog. It remains special and irreducible.
Quote examples
Rachel Kushner
American Writer
Most go to prison not on account of their irreducible uniqueness as people but because they are part of a marginalized sector of the population who never had a chance, who were slated for it early on.
Quote examples
Pawel Pawlikowski
Polish Director
For me, good films and good books are irreducible to a lesson. You can't just kind of translate them into one statement. On the contrary, the more you do that, the less wisdom in art there is.
Quote examples
Reid Hoffman
American Businessman
I do think there are some irreducible inefficiencies in government. But we still need to have government; we still need to make government effective if we can.
Quote examples
Lynne Ramsay
Scottish Director
I find it difficult to write with reference to the most memorable moments in film, when for me the best moments in films are truly irreducible.
Quote examples
Stephen Jay Gould
American Scientist
All evolutionary biologists know that variation itself is nature's only irreducible essence... I had to place myself amidst the variation.
Quote examples
Ann Coulter
American Journalist
I thought the irreducible requirements of Republicanism were being for life, small government, and a strong national defense.
Quote examples
Carroll O'Connor
American Actor
One irreducible residual of 38 years in the business is the number of lasting, loving friendships I have made.
Example 1 of 10
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