durable
DUR-uh-bul
/ˈdʊərəbl/
Able to last a long time without becoming damaged.
Implies toughness and resistance to wear and tear, especially important for outdoor sports.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'durus', meaning 'hard'. It is the same root that gives us 'endure'. If something is durable, it is 'hard' enough to survive the passage of time.
Word relationships
- robust: Robust implies strength and health; durable specifically implies lasting over time.
- fragile: Fragile means easily broken; durable means hard to break.
Commonly confused with
- sustainable: Sustainable means environmentally friendly or maintainable; durable means physically long-lasting.
Word family
- durability (noun): The ability to withstand wear.
- endure (verb): To last or suffer through.
Collocations
- durable goods
- highly durable
- durable material
- durable finish
Example sentences
- "Mountain climbers require durable ropes that can withstand extreme weather and friction." Material science
- "The machines have to be made of durable materials." Consumer goods
Memory hook
Durable gear 'endures' the 'duration' of the game. Hard enough to last.
When not to use
Don't use for things that are 'permanent' but not subject to wear (like a mountain).
Fun facts
- In economics, 'durable goods' are products that do not wear out quickly, typically lasting at least three years.
Related words
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