edible
Americanadjective
noun
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of edible
First recorded in 1605–15; from Late Latin edibilis, equivalent to ed(ere) “to eat” + -ibilis adjective suffix; see origin at eat ( def. ), -ible
Explanation
If it’s edible, you can eat it. Many things that you may not want to eat are, in fact, edible. Certain insects are edible, which just means that you can consume them without getting sick (if it doesn't gross you out too much). Edible comes from the Latin word edere, which means “to eat.” Anything that people can safely eat is described as edible. Long before there were complex labels on our packages of food, human predecessors were living in caves and sampling various plants and animals for their survival, all the while learning the hard way whether or not certain things were either edible or poisonous. You are most likely a descendant of the ones who found the edible stuff.
Vocabulary lists containing edible
NAEP Test Words
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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 home’s environmentally friendly features continue outside, where solar panels help power the property and an edible landscape offers a variety of homegrown produce.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 13, 2026
The price of “The Golden Glizzy,” a decadent hot dog served on a fresh-baked croissant bun and topped with 30 grams of Ossetia caviar and 24-karat edible gold flakes.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026
"It's important to appreciate every last piece of edible food that is grown."
From BBC ● Jul. 31, 2026
"There are Don Quixotes and Sanchos: idealists and pragmatists. Some may find the transparency of crystals fascinating, while others are interested in their smell and whether they're edible," García-Ruiz pointed out.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 15, 2026
He hunted around with his fork and knife for the edible parts and finally located one entire bite of meat.
From "An Abundance of Katherines" by John Green
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.
