inflatable

American  

[in-fley-tuh-buhl] / ɪnˈfleɪ tə bəl /

adjective

1. capable of being inflated.

2. designed or built to be inflated before use.

---

noun

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

inflatable British  

/ ɪnˈfleɪtəbəl /

noun

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

---

adjective

1. capable of being inflated

Other Word Forms

• reinflatable
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of inflatable

First recorded in 1875–80; inflate + -able

Explanation

Something inflatable can be blown up or filled with air. A balloon is inflatable — you can either blow it up, or fill it with helium so that it floats. Car tires are inflatable, and so are beach balls, bicycle inner tubes, floating pool toys, bouncy castles, air mattresses, and some lightweight boats. If you're in a car accident, the inflatable air bag will fill quickly to protect you from hitting the dashboard. The adjective inflatable comes from the Latin inflare, "to blow into or puff up."

Example Sentences

All 224 passengers on board were evacuated by inflatable emergency slides as a matter of precaution, Frontier said.

From BBC • May 9, 2026

Despite experts warning that trying to save the creature would only cause it more pain, two multi-millionaires then jumped in with an elaborate rescue plan involving inflatable cushions and pontoons.

From Barron's • Apr. 23, 2026

When John Robinson remarried in late 2022, his guests at the Duquesne Club in downtown Pittsburgh were greeted with an inflatable rat.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

An inflatable unicorn with rainbow-coloured tail wandered through the crowd with a sign reading "Leave the Constitution in Peace" round its neck.

From BBC • Mar. 21, 2026

She tried not to think of the extra weight she carried—the parachute pack and the inflatable life jacket over her clothing.

From "Women in Space" by Karen Bush Gibson