definitions

potable

[ poh-tuh-buh l ]
/ ˈpoʊ tə bəl /

adjective

fit or suitable for drinking: potable water.

noun

Usually potables. drinkable liquids; beverages.

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Nearby words

pot-au-feu, pot-bound, pot-valiant, pot-walloper, pot., potable, potae, potage, potager, potamic, potamogale

Origin of potable

1565–75; < Late Latin pōtābilis drinkable, equivalent to Latin pōtā(re) to drink + -bilis -ble

Related forms

po·ta·bil·i·ty, po·ta·ble·ness, nounnon·po·ta·ble, adjective, nounun·po·ta·ble, adjective

Can be confused

portable potable
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for non-potable

potable

/ (ˈpəʊtəbəl) /

adjective

fit to drink; drinkable

noun

something fit to drink; a beverage

Derived Forms

potability, noun

Word Origin for potable

C16: from Late Latin pōtābilis drinkable, from Latin pōtāre to drink
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

Medicine definitions for non-potable

potable

[ pō′tə-bəl ]

adj.

Fit to drink; drinkable.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.