durability
B2Neutral (common in formal, academic, business, and everyday contexts)
Definition
Meaning
The quality of being able to last a long time without breaking or deteriorating.
The capacity to withstand wear, pressure, damage, or repeated use over an extended period; can be applied to physical objects, abstract concepts (like relationships or policies), and systems.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a quality noun derived from 'durable.' Often implies resistance to decay or deterioration over time, not just strength. Can be literal (materials) or figurative (peace, trust).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling is the same. Possibly a slightly higher frequency in American technical/business writing.
Connotations
Positive in both varieties, associated with quality, reliability, and long-term value.
Frequency
Comparably common. 'Longevity' is a close synonym but emphasizes lifespan rather than resistance to wear.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
the durability of [NOUN PHRASE][ADJECTIVE] durabilitydurability against/under [CONDITION]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Built to last”
- “Stand the test of time”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to the longevity and reliability of products, investments, or business models (e.g., 'The durability of our brand reputation is key').
Academic
Used in engineering, materials science, economics, and sociology to discuss resilience over time (e.g., 'studying the durability of social structures').
Everyday
Describes how long-lasting clothes, furniture, or electronics are (e.g., 'I chose these boots for their durability').
Technical
A quantifiable property of materials, measured by tests for wear, corrosion, fatigue, etc. (e.g., 'The polymer's durability under UV light was assessed').
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The manufacturer aims to durable the product through better sealing.
- (Note: 'to durable' as a verb is rare/not standard. Use 'make durable' or 'ensure the durability of')
American English
- They sought to engineer components that would durable extreme conditions. (Non-standard; prefer 'withstand' or 'endure')
adverb
British English
- The bridge was durably constructed to last a century.
- (Rare; 'sturdily' or 'robustly' are more common)
American English
- The finish is applied durably to resist scratches.
- (Rare)
adjective
British English
- We need a more durable solution to this recurring problem.
- The contract must be printed on durable paper.
American English
- We need a durable good that won't need replacing soon.
- Their partnership has proven remarkably durable.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- This bag has good durability.
- Plastic toys often lack durability.
- The durability of the phone's battery is very important to me.
- They questioned the durability of the peace agreement.
- The new alloy significantly improves the engine's durability under high stress.
- One major advantage of the product is its proven durability in harsh climates.
- Critics argue that the policy lacks the political durability to survive beyond the current administration.
- The study measures the durability of concrete composites subject to cyclical freezing and thawing.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'DURable ABILITY' – the ability to endure.
Conceptual Metaphor
DURABILITY IS STRENGTH OVER TIME; A LASTING ENTITY IS A SOLID OBJECT.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'прочность' (strength) or 'надёжность' (reliability). 'Durability' specifically combines these with the dimension of time. 'Долговечность' is the closest equivalent.
- Avoid direct calques like '*дурабилити'.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect spelling: 'durablity', 'durabilty'.
- Using it for short-term robustness (use 'strength' or 'toughness' instead).
- Confusion with 'duration' (which is about length of time, not the quality of lasting).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'durability' used MOST appropriately?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While most common for objects, it's frequently used for abstract things like relationships, peace, agreements, or economic systems, meaning their ability to last.
'Strength' is the ability to withstand force without breaking at a given moment. 'Durability' is the ability to retain strength and function over a long period, resisting wear, fatigue, and decay.
It's unusual for people's bodies ('the boxer's durability'). It's more common metaphorically for careers or reputations ('the durability of her artistic legacy'). For mental/physical endurance, 'stamina' or 'resilience' is better.
No direct standard verb. The related adjective is 'durable.' To express the action, use phrases like 'make durable,' 'ensure the durability of,' or verbs like 'endure,' 'last,' 'withstand.'
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