imperishable
im-PEH-rish-uh-bul
/ɪmˈpɛrɪʃəbl/
Enduring forever; not subject to decay or destruction.
A very grand, elevated word. Often used for fame, glory, or the soul. It implies that the thing is immune to the natural laws of rot and death.
The story behind the word. The root 'perire' (to perish) literally means 'to go through' (per- + ire). In this sense, to perish is to pass through life and out the other side. 'Imperishable' describes something that stays right where it is and never 'goes through' to the end.
Word relationships
- undying: Undying is slightly less formal and often used for love or devotion.
- immortal: Immortal specifically means 'living forever,' while imperishable means 'not decaying.'
- perishable: Perishable describes something that will rot or decay, usually food.
- mortal: Mortal describes something that must eventually die.
Commonly confused with
- eternal: Eternal means existing without beginning or end; imperishable means specifically that it cannot decay or be destroyed.
Word family
- perish (verb): To die or be destroyed.
Collocations
- imperishable glory
- imperishable soul
- imperishable fame
- imperishable beauty
Example sentences
- "The hero's deeds won him imperishable fame, ensuring his name would be remembered for generations." History
- "Plato argued that the forms were imperishable realities, of which the physical world was merely a fading shadow." Philosophy
Memory hook
Think of 'im-' (not) + 'perish'—it won't perish like an old banana. Imperishable = Cannot rot.
When not to use
Too formal for everyday objects. You wouldn't call a plastic bottle 'imperishable' even if it lasts a long time; it's just 'non-biodegradable.'
Fun facts
- In the New Testament, the word is used to describe the 'imperishable crown' that believers strive for, contrasted with the 'perishable' laurel wreaths given to athletes.
Explore more words
incorruptible, imperturbable, impermanent, imperious, perennial, preserve
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.