communicable

American  

[kuh-myoo-ni-kuh-buhl] / kəˈmyu nɪ kə bəl /

adjective

1. capable of being easily communicated or transmitted.

   communicable information; a communicable disease.

2. talkative; communicative.

---

communicable British  

/ kəˈmjuːnɪkəbəl /

adjective

1. capable of being communicated

2. (of a disease or its causative agent) capable of being passed on readily

---

communicable Scientific  

/ kə-myo̅o̅′nĭ-kə-bəl /

1. Capable of being transmitted from a person or animal to another person or animal, either through direct or indirect transmission, including insect or other vectors. Chickenpox is a communicable disease.

---

Other Word Forms

• communicability noun
• communicableness noun
• communicably adverb

Etymology

Origin of communicable

1350–1400; Middle English < Late Latin commūnicābilis, equivalent to commūnicā ( re ) ( see communicate) + -bilis -ble

Explanation

A cold is a communicable disease, i.e. it's contagious, so you can pass it on to others. If you are a politician, your basic message should be communicable or communicated easily to others. Whether a cold or a message, think of transmitting something when using the word communicable. In this word, you might see communicate, commune, and community. All of these words come from the Latin root communicare which means "to share." When something is communicable it is easily shared with a community of people.

Example Sentences

“I still think we want to make sure that what we’re doing is transparent and communicable to the public,” Melvoin said.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 15, 2026

Cubans who have fled—as well as others on the island who spoke by phone—said that garbage is piling up, communicable diseases like chikungunya and dengue are spreading, and many children aren’t going to school.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 21, 2025

Early germ theory did not point to solutions, and the interventions used to control communicable diseases — clean water, clean cities, and vaccinations — were not effective.

From Salon • Mar. 6, 2025

"Vaccines are always our best defence against infectious, communicable diseases," adds Dr Williams.

From BBC • Jan. 15, 2025

When an epidemic of mumps broke out in the school, Katie went into action against communicable diseases.

From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith