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durable

adjective
du·​ra·​ble | \ ˈdu̇r-É™-bÉ™l How to pronounce durable (audio) also ˈdyu̇r-\

Definition of durable

: able to exist for a long time without significant deterioration in quality or value a durable suitcase also : designed to be durable durable goods
Other Words from durable Choose the Right Synonym Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about durable

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Other Words from durable

durability \ ËŒdu̇r-​É™-​ˈbi-​lÉ™-​tÄ“ How to pronounce durability (audio) , ËŒdyu̇r-​ \ noun
durableness \ ˈdu̇r-​É™-​bÉ™l-​nÉ™s How to pronounce durableness (audio) , ˈdyu̇r-​ \ noun
durably \ ˈdu̇r-​É™-​blÄ“ How to pronounce durably (audio) , ˈdyu̇r-​ \ adverb

Choose the Right Synonym for durable

lasting, permanent, durable, stable mean enduring for so long as to seem fixed or established. lasting implies a capacity to continue indefinitely. a book that left a lasting impression on me permanent adds usually the implication of being designed or planned to stand or continue indefinitely. permanent living arrangements durable implies power to resist destructive agencies. durable fabrics stable implies lastingness because of resistance to being overturned or displaced. a stable government

Did You Know?

Something "durable" lasts a long time, so it's no surprise that the word comes to us, via Anglo-French, from the Latin verb durare, meaning "to last." Other descendants of "durare" in English include "during," "endure," and "durance" (which now mostly turns up in the phrase "in durance vile," a fancy way of saying "in prison"). "Durable" even has a near synonym in the much rarer "perdurable," which combines "durare" with the prefix per- (meaning "throughout") to create a word that can mean "lasting a very long time or indefinitely" or "eternal."

Examples of durable in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 The fact that there are still many glass portholes intact amazed me, and really impressed me just how durable this ship is. — Gina Martinez, Time, "Divers Visited the Titanic's Wreck for the First Time in over a Decade. Here's Why They Were Shocked by the Ship's Condition," 22 Aug. 2019 Designed to fit inside suitcases, this three-pack of cubes is top-rated and popular on Amazon with reviewers, who say these are extremely durable, sturdy, and help them stay more organized. — Shayna Murphy, USA TODAY, "The 5 best Amazon deals you can get this Friday," 9 Aug. 2019 Sports clothing advertised for girls is consistently less durable, less waterproof and less accommodating of movement than the equivalent for young boys. — The Economist, "For women, running is still an act of defiance," 28 June 2019 These surge tights are incredibly durable, but also extremely light and breathable. — Locke Hughes, NBC News, "The best workout leggings, according to fitness professionals," 20 June 2019 Does the floor need to be durable, for high-traffic areas? — Stepfanie Romine, azcentral, "Your step-by-step guide to choosing new flooring for any room in your home," 7 June 2019 To avoid that issue, Avocado Mattress uses a 100% natural latex made from the pure rubber sap of Hevea Brasiliensis trees to create a cushioning base that's durable, breathable, biodegradable, and Greenguard Gold Certified by UL Environment. — Lauren Hubbard, ELLE Decor, "A Beginner's Guide to Making Your Home More Sustainable," 1 Apr. 2019 You can rest assured that this furniture will be durable, and that for every tree that was cut to build a piece of furniture, another was planted in its place. — Taysha Murtaugh, Country Living, "HGTV's Erin and Ben Napier Are Launching an American-Made Furniture Line," 13 Apr. 2018 The problem for consumers in the outrage economy is that the product is neither gratifying nor durable. — Noah Rothman, National Review, "Kevin Williamson’s Revolt against the Hivemind," 25 July 2019

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

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First Known Use of durable

14th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for durable

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin durabilis, from durare to last — more at during

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More Definitions for durable

durable

adjective
How to pronounce durable (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of durable

: staying strong and in good condition over a long period of time

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

durable

adjective
du·​ra·​ble | \ ˈdu̇r-É™-bÉ™l How to pronounce durable (audio) , ˈdyu̇r-\

Kids Definition of durable

: able to last a long time durable furniture

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More from Merriam-Webster on durable

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for durable

Spanish Central: Translation of durable

Nglish: Translation of durable for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of durable for Arabic Speakers

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