inflatable

[ in-fley-tuh-buhl ]

/ ɪnˈfleɪ tə bəl /

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adjective

capable of being inflated.

designed or built to be inflated before use.

noun

an inflatable object, device, or structure, especially a small rubber boat that is inflated with air.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of inflatable

First recorded in 1875–80; inflate + -able

OTHER WORDS FROM inflatable

re·in·flat·a·ble, adjective

Words nearby inflatable

inflammable, inflammation, inflammatory, inflammatory bowel disease, “In Flanders Fields”, inflatable, inflate, inflated, inflation, inflationary, inflationary gap

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use inflatable in a sentence

Same with the oars on our inflatable raft — everything was a canvas to display his patriotism in this new land of freedom.
It’s Prague on the Potomac, as we wearily wait for a shot at the vaccine|Petula Dvorak|February 8, 2021|Washington Post
One way to do this is to switch your chair for a Swiss ball, an oversized inflatable ball that’s large enough for you to sit on.
Best office chair: Get comfy, stay productive with our office furniture picks|PopSci Commerce Team|January 11, 2021|Popular-Science
After he crossed the Rio Grande on an inflatable raft, Kevin was processed by Border Patrol and sent to a shelter for migrant children.
To stay or to go?|Hannah Dreier|December 26, 2020|Washington Post
WingLock and TwinLock valves by Therm-a-RestSpeedy mattress inflationTo get air into an inflatable sleeping pad, chances are you will need to huff and puff into a valve.
The 100 greatest innovations of 2020|Popular Science Staff|December 2, 2020|Popular-Science

As Katija, a bioengineer interested in taking design inspiration from nature, points out, these animals have evolved an inflatable filtration system.
Larvaceans’ underwater ‘snot palaces’ boast elaborate plumbing|Susan Milius|June 15, 2020|Science News
The massive inflatable structure is filled with multi-colored light and takes a prehistoric yet futuristic shape.
New York City’s New Mystery Art Piece|Sara Sayed|September 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Hanging from the exhibition ceiling are two huge inflatable cobblestones.
Why the Left Protests Better: A History of ‘Disobedient Objects’|Nico Hines|July 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
There was an inflatable bouncy house for kids and a thematically appropriate mechanical bull ride for grown-ups.
Chicago’s Running of the Bulls|Hampton Stevens|July 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I changed the beach ball to an inflatable alligator and started writing the story to find out what would happen next.
Real Thrills And High Art In A Poignant Page-Turner Of A Novel|Susan Cheever|May 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In memory of her late pup, the shock-singer croons a song to giant inflatable replica of him.
Miley Cyrus Pays Bizarre Tribute to Her Dead Dog, Floyd, at a Brooklyn Concert|Marina Watts|April 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Rhineurynter, rī-nū-rin′tėr, n. a small inflatable bag used for plugging the nose.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R)|Various
It turned out to be a combination of a canvas bag and inflatable rubber mattress, called by its makers a "Sleeping Pocket."
Down the Yellowstone|Lewis R. Freeman
I know, Larry said even as he was climbing into the inflatable vacuum garment.
A Place in the Sun|C.H. Thames
Most of the drop sphere is made of inflatable metallic foil so don't bother to look for the entrance.
Sense of Obligation|Henry Maxwell Dempsey (AKA Harry Harrison)
Most of the drop sphere is made of inflatable metallic foil, so don't bother to look for the entrance.
Planet of the Damned|Harry Harrison

British Dictionary definitions for inflatable

inflatable

/ (ɪnˈfleɪtəbəl) /

noun

any of various large air-filled objects made of strong plastic or rubber, used for children to play on at fairs, carnivals, etc

adjective

capable of being inflated

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012