perishable
PEH-rish-uh-buhl
/ˈpɛrɪʃəbəl/
Likely to decay or go bad quickly.
Often used as a noun in the plural ('perishables') to refer to fresh food products.
The story behind the word. Derived from the Latin 'perire', meaning 'to pass away' or 'to die'. In a culinary context, it describes food that is destined for a quick 'death' if not properly stored.
Word relationships
- biodegradable: Biodegradable refers to the ability to break down naturally; perishable refers to the speed of decay in food.
- non-perishable: Food that has a long shelf life and does not require refrigeration.
- durable: Able to withstand wear, pressure, or damage; hard-wearing.
Commonly confused with
- spoiled: Perishable describes the potential to go bad; spoiled describes food that has already gone bad.
Word family
- perish (verb): To suffer death, typically in a violent, sudden, or untimely way; to rot.
- perishability (noun): The state of being perishable.
Collocations
- perishable food
- highly perishable
- perishable items
- perishable goods
Example sentences
- "Perishable goods must be shipped in refrigerated containers to maintain their quality." Logistics and shipping
- "Please place all perishables in the refrigerator immediately after purchase." Grocery store signage
Memory hook
Perishables will 'perish' if you don't 'able' them to stay cold. Destined to die.
When not to use
Do not use for things that last a long time, like canned goods or dried grains.
Fun facts
- Honey is one of the few natural foods that is truly non-perishable; edible honey has been found in ancient Egyptian tombs.
Related words
Explore more words
shelf-stable, preservative, cold-chain, imperishable, preserve
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