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biddable

adjective
bid·​da·​ble | \ ˈbi-də-bəl How to pronounce biddable (audio) \

Definition of biddable

1 : easily led, taught, or controlled : docile
2 : capable of being bid
Other Words from biddable Synonyms & Antonyms Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about biddable

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Other Words from biddable

biddability \ ˌbi-​də-​ˈbi-​lə-​tē How to pronounce biddability (audio) \ noun
biddably \ ˈbi-​də-​blē How to pronounce biddably (audio) \ adverb

Did You Know?

A biddable individual is someone you can issue an order to-that is, someone who will do your bidding. The word dates to the late 18th century, and our earliest evidence for it is a quote in the Scottish National Dictionary. There are a number of words in English that do what biddable does. Tractable, amenable, and docile are three of them. Biddable is often applied to children and indicates a ready, constant inclination to follow orders, requests, and suggestions. Tractable suggests characteristics that make for easy guiding, leading, ordering, or managing; its antonym intractable (as in "intractable problems") is more common. Amenable indicates a disposition to be agreeable or complaisant as well as a lack of assertive independence. Docile can stress a disposition to submit, either due to guidance and control or to imposition and oppression.

Examples of biddable in a Sentence

The children became less biddable as they grew older. the elderly widower was one of the more biddable and cooperative residents at the nursing home

Recent Examples on the Web

 The British are a biddable people, easily cowed by authority. — Lionel Shriver, Harper's magazine, "No Exit," 10 Apr. 2019 For example, telecom company Vodafone is now working toward bypassing agencies for the biddable part -- currently just under a quarter -- of its roughly £600 million ($780 million) ad budget, including by working directly with Google and Facebook. — Stephen Wilmot, WSJ, "Digital Disruption Snarls Madison Avenue," 2 Nov. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'biddable.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of biddable

circa 1768, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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More Definitions for biddable

biddable

adjective
How to pronounce biddable (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of biddable

chiefly British : willing to do whatever someone tells you to do : easily taught, led, or controlled
: available to be bid on

See the full definition for biddable in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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