Durable Meaning and Definition
Durable
Pronunciation
/ˈdjʊrəbəl/
Part of Speech
Adjective
Definition
Capable of withstanding wear and tear, stress, or adversity without becoming damaged, broken, or unable to function; long-lasting, sturdy, and resilient.
Examples
- The company prides itself on manufacturing durable products that last for years.
- The new phone’s durable construction made it resistant to scratches and cracks.
Synonyms
- Sturdy
- Robust
- Resilient
Antonyms
- Fragile
- Brittle
- Delicate
Etymology
The word “durable” originated from the Latin word “durabilis,” meaning “enduring” or “long-lasting.” It has been used in the English language since the 15th century to describe objects or materials that can withstand wear and tear.
Usage Notes
When using the word “durable,” it’s often used to describe products, materials, or services that have a long lifespan, can withstand heavy use, or are resistant to damage.
Cultural References
The word “durable” has been used in various cultural references, including in film and literature. For example, the phrase “The durable goods sector has experienced significant growth” has been used in a news article to describe the economy.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
The phrase “built to last” is an idiomatic expression that is often used in conjunction with the word “durable” to describe products or materials that are designed to be long-lasting.
Related Words or Phrases
- Sturdy
- Robust
- Resilient
- Enduring
- Long-lasting
Collocations
- Durable goods
- Durable materials
- Durable construction
- Durable services
Frequency of Use
The word “durable” is commonly used in everyday language, particularly in industries such as manufacturing, construction, and consumer goods. According to the Oxford English Corpus, the word “durable” is used approximately 12.4 times per million words.
Common Misspellings
- Durabel
- Durabale
- Durabul