playability

American  

[play-uh-bil-i-tee] / ˌpleɪ əˈbɪl ɪ ti /

noun

1. the quality or state of being playable: Poor graphics and counterintuitive controls negatively affected the playability of the video game.

   The sound and playability of vintage instruments depends on how well they are maintained.

   Poor graphics and counterintuitive controls negatively affected the playability of the video game.

---

Etymology

Origin of playability

First recorded in 1880–85; play(able) ( def. ) + -ability ( def. )

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

playability

“Great games retain their playability over time, and publishers will act accordingly,” van Dreunen said.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 25, 2026

And the future of the instruments’ playability is at stake.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 3, 2025

“It doesn’t affect the playability of the game,” Wilson said of bananas.

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 23, 2022

“A lot of the playability in the game is things like simple scribbles,” says John Imah, head of games and entertainment partnerships at Snap.

From The Verge ● Dec. 14, 2020

That our American game is past hoping for on the score of playability is by no means certain.

From An American at Oxford by John Corbin

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---