inflatable

American  

[in-fley-tuh-buhl] / ɪnˈfleɪ tə bəl /

adjective

1. capable of being inflated.

2. designed or built to be inflated before use.

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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

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adjective

1. capable of being inflated

Other Word Forms

Derived 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

What I can tell you for sure is that on Thursday, it will also have a 20-foot inflatable World Cup.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 10, 2026

There will also be activities for all ages, including youth soccer clinics, family-friendly games, refreshments, halftime snacks and inflatable attractions such as a giant soccer dart game.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026

The mission used inflatable cushions to pull it to the surface before dragging it back to the North Sea on a floating platform.

From BBC • May 31, 2026

The barge idea was hatched after their initial attempt to save the whale with inflatable cushions and pontoons was unsuccessful.

From Barron's • May 2, 2026

They lay down in the back verandah on a grass mat with an inflatable goose and a Qantas koala bear.

From "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy