durable
C1Formal to neutral
Definition
Meaning
Able to withstand wear, pressure, or damage over a long period; lasting.
Describing anything that endures, persists, or remains stable over time, including abstract concepts like relationships, effects, or economic goods.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies inherent strength and resistance to decay or decline over a long duration. Often used for manufactured goods but can be extended to abstract concepts like peace or effects.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. In UK business contexts, 'durable' might more commonly be heard in formal reports; in US marketing, it is slightly more frequent in product descriptions.
Connotations
Positive in both varieties. In UK English, may carry a slight connotation of sturdiness and reliability; in US English, can carry a stronger connotation of value-for-money and performance.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in US English (Corpus of Contemporary American English vs. British National Corpus).
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
ADJ + NOUNVERB + durable (e.g., 'prove durable')ADV + durableVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “built to last”
- “stand the test of time”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to consumer goods intended to last for several years (e.g., washing machines). 'Durable goods orders' is a key economic indicator.
Academic
Used in economics ('consumer durables'), materials science ('durable polymers'), and sociology ('durable inequalities').
Everyday
Used to describe the quality of clothing, furniture, or children's toys.
Technical
In engineering and materials science, describes a material's ability to resist degradation from environmental stress.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- 'Durability' is the noun; 'durable' itself is not used as a verb.
American English
- 'Durability' is the noun; 'durable' itself is not used as a verb.
adverb
British English
- 'Duratively' is extremely rare. The typical adverb is 'durably', though uncommon (e.g., 'a durably constructed shed').
American English
- 'Duratively' is extremely rare. The typical adverb is 'durably', though uncommon (e.g., 'a durably built framework').
adjective
British English
- These hiking boots are remarkably durable, even in wet conditions.
- They sought a more durable political settlement.
American English
- Look for a durable finish on that outdoor furniture.
- Consumer durables saw a rise in spending last quarter.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My new school bag is very durable.
- Plastic is a durable material.
- We need to buy durable furniture for the rental flat.
- The treaty aimed to create a durable peace in the region.
- Despite its lightweight design, the smartphone case proved surprisingly durable.
- Economists monitor orders for durable goods as an indicator of economic health.
- The researcher's goal was to develop a more durable catalyst that wouldn't degrade under industrial conditions.
- Their partnership, built on mutual respect, has proven to be both flexible and durable.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'DURable' as containing 'DURation' – if something has good DURation, it is DURable.
Conceptual Metaphor
STRENGTH IS DURABILITY (e.g., 'a durable argument', 'a durable peace'). TIME IS A TEST (something that 'passes the test of time' is durable).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation with 'долговечный' only for objects; for abstract concepts, 'прочный' or 'устойчивый' is often better (e.g., 'durable peace' – 'прочный мир').
- Do not confuse with 'strong' (сильный); durability is about lasting over time, not immediate power.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'durable' for short-term strength (e.g., 'He made a durable punch' – incorrect).
- Misspelling as 'durrable'.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'durable' be LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Strong' refers to the ability to withstand force without breaking immediately. 'Durable' refers to the ability to withstand wear, decay, or stress over a long *period of time*. A strong glass might not break easily, but it is not durable if it scratches easily over months of use.
Yes, it is commonly used for abstract concepts like peace, agreements, effects, and relationships, implying they are stable and long-lasting.
Durable goods are tangible products that are not consumed immediately and are expected to last for at least three years (e.g., cars, appliances, furniture). Their purchase is a key economic indicator.
'More durable' is correct. The comparative 'durabler' is not standard English.