perishable
PEH-rish-uh-bul
/ˈperɪʃəbl/
(Especially of food) likely to decay or go bad quickly.
Technically refers to items requiring refrigeration or special handling to prevent spoilage.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'perire,' meaning to 'go through' or 'pass away.' It shares a root with 'perish.' If something is perishable, it is 'able to pass away' or die.
Word relationships
- biodegradable: Biodegradable refers to how something breaks down in the environment; perishable refers to how quickly it spoils for consumption.
- non-perishable: Items with a long shelf life, like canned goods.
- durable: Able to withstand wear, pressure, or damage over a long time.
Commonly confused with
- putrid: Perishable means it can rot; putrid means it has rotted and smells terrible.
Word family
- perish (verb): To die or be destroyed; to rot.
- perishability (noun): The state of being perishable.
Collocations
- perishable goods
- highly perishable
- perishable items
Example sentences
- "The cargo consisted mainly of perishable dairy products that required constant refrigeration." Shipping instructions.
- "Perishable foods should not be left out at room temperature for more than two hours." A regulatory warning. (FDA Food Safety Guidelines)
Memory hook
Think of a 'pear' (fruit). A pear is very 'per-ishable'—it goes soft and rots quickly if you don't eat it. Perishable: Able to perish.
When not to use
Don't use it for things that last a long time like canned goods or dried beans, even though they eventually expire.
Fun facts
- In logistics, 'perishables' is a noun used to describe an entire category of freight, including flowers, fish, and fruits.
Related words
Explore more words
spoilage, shelf-stable, preservative, cold-chain, imperishable, preserve
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