washable

American

[wosh-uh-buhl, waw-shuh-] / ˈwɒʃ ə bəl, ˈwɔ ʃə- /

adjective

capable of being washed without shrinking, fading, or the like.

noun

a washable garment.

washable British

/ ˈwɒʃəbəl /

adjective

(esp of fabrics or clothes) capable of being washed without deteriorating

"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

Other Word Forms

nonwashable adjective
unwashable adjective
washability noun

Etymology

Origin of washable

First recorded in 1615–25; wash + -able

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

While there's sustainable alternatives such as washable nappies, the effort and cost limits how widely they're used.

From BBC • Mar. 12, 2026

If they do get dirty, they’re machine washable, and they come in myriad colors and designs, from camo to monarch butterflies.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 3, 2024

Petersen recommends washable indoor/outdoor rugs and a mirror for a last quick checkout.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 19, 2024

The underwear, which is absorbent, washable and reusable, is seen as more environmentally friendly than single-use products such as menstrual pads.

From BBC • Jan. 1, 2024

The tablecloth has the pattern stamped straight on the linen in washable ink, like a paint-by-numbers picture.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023