durable
Americanadjective
noun
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of durable
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin dūrābilis; see dure 2, -able
Explanation
Something that is built to last is durable. Your most durable pair of hiking boots will last you through your trek to the summit of Mount Everest. Anything that's long-lasting, sturdy, or doesn't bend under pressure can be described as durable. You could have a durable relationship with your oldest friend, durable tires on your car, and a durable umbrella — they won't let you down or break. The Latin root of durable is durabilis, which means "lasting or permanent," and comes from durare, "to harden."
Vocabulary lists containing durable
100 SAT Words Beginning with "D"
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This Week in Words: December 30, 2017 - January 5, 2018
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This Week in Words: February 9 - 15, 2019
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“The lack of a durable Hormuz agreement and continued threats across both Hormuz and the Red Sea should keep a sizeable geopolitical premium embedded in oil prices,” said Soojin Kim, analyst at MUFG.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026
Working-class identity is more durable and culturally grounded than a description of who isn’t a billionaire.
From Salon ● Aug. 9, 2026
“We are not convinced that higher compute alone provides a durable solution to improving the cadence and predictability of meaningful releases,” he said.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 6, 2026
The method produces extremely durable parts, but it has drawbacks.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 4, 2026
On the right side of the meadow a large common latrine has been built, a roofed and durable construction.
From "All Quiet on the Western Front: A Novel" by Erich Maria Remarque
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
