Durable Meaning
/ˈdʊɹəbəl/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
adjAble to resist wear or decay; lasting; enduring.
nounA durable thing, one useful over more than one period, especially a year.
Sentence Examples
This seems expensive, but it's so durable it will pay off in the long run.
These trousers are made of durable cloth.
This durable oak deckchair comes with a floral canvas cover.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
CEFR Practice Quiz
We bought a ____ table that withstands daily use by our children.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
This seems expensive, but it's so ____ it will pay off in the long run.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English durable, from Old French durable, from Latin dūrābilis (“lasting, permanent”), from dūrō (“harden, make hard”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Researchers have developed a new gel they say is as durable as metal, has the flexibility of jello, and could revolutionize how our bodies heal and age."
— 2017 July 16, Jenny Marc, Katy Scott, “Revolutionary gel is five times stronger than steel”, in CNN, archived from the original on 02 Jul 2025:
"In a frictionless world with perfect rental markets, there is an unambiguous cost associated with the use of a durable for a single period."
— 1989, Robert A. Pollak, The theory of the cost-of-living index, page 188:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
We bought a ____ table that withstands daily use by our children.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
This seems expensive, but it's so ____ it will pay off in the long run.