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: 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 strongest evidence will come when more useful AI services produce durable revenue and cash returns that justify the infrastructure behind them.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 16, 2026
Lower prices or more generous usage allowances need to translate into durable business.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 16, 2026
Longer follow-up and larger controlled trials will be essential to determine how durable the benefits are, which patients respond best, and whether dissolving particles offer advantages over other embolization materials.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 14, 2026
“When I’m out there telling the investors about our capital, I need to have certainty that it’s real and durable growth,” Jones said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 13, 2026
How should he prove more durable? zyi He continued to circle.
From "Typical American" by Gish Jen
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
