perishable
B2Slightly formal; common in commercial, legal, and logistical contexts.
Definition
Meaning
Liable to decay or spoil; easily destroyed or ruined, especially of food or other organic matter.
1. Subject to destruction or death; mortal. 2. Transitory; not lasting or permanent. 3. Legally valid only for a short period, as in a 'perishable cargo' clause.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term strongly implies an inherent, natural vulnerability to time and environmental factors like heat, moisture, or microbes. It contrasts with 'durable' or 'non-perishable'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Meaning and usage are nearly identical. The term is common in both varieties.
Connotations
Both carry the same connotations of fragility and a limited lifespan.
Frequency
Comparatively more frequent in American commercial and advertising contexts (e.g., 'perishable goods'), but the difference is minor.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The noun (food, goods) is perishable.We must handle/store/ship perishables carefully.It is perishable within days.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Perish the thought! (related but distinct idiom expressing horrified rejection of an idea)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to goods requiring refrigeration or expedited transport (e.g., 'the logistics chain for perishables').
Academic
Used in biology, food science, and economics discussing spoilage, supply chains, or entropy.
Everyday
Commonly seen on packaging, in supermarkets ('perishable aisle'), or when discussing food storage.
Technical
In shipping/insurance, defines goods subject to rapid deterioration (e.g., 'perishable cargo clause').
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The flowers will perish if left in the sun.
- Many soldiers perished in the battle.
American English
- The engine perished from lack of oil.
- Hopes for a quick deal perished.
adjective
British English
- Perishable goods must be refrigerated.
- He was carrying a perishable diplomatic message.
American English
- Milk is a perishable product.
- The treaty was based on perishable assumptions.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Milk is perishable, so keep it in the fridge.
- We bought some fruit and other perishables.
- The supermarket has a special section for perishable foods like meat and dairy.
- Perishable items should be consumed quickly.
- The company specializes in the cold-chain logistics required for transporting perishable commodities globally.
- Due to its perishable nature, the medication requires strict temperature control.
- Philosophers have long mused on the perishable nature of human achievements versus the enduring legacy of ideas.
- The contract included a standard clause absolving the carrier of liability for damage to perishable cargo caused by delays beyond its control.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a juicy PEAR that you must eat quickly before it perishes. PERishable PEAR.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A DESTROYER / LIFE IS A PERISHABLE COMMODITY.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque from 'портящийся'. While correct, it's less specific than the commercial/formal 'perishable'. 'Spoilable' is a less common synonym.
- Do not confuse with 'perishing' as an intensifier in BrE slang ('perishing cold').
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'This food is very perishable.' (Redundant; 'perishable' implies high susceptibility.) Better: 'This food is highly perishable.' or 'This food is perishable.'
- Incorrect: 'perishable' as a verb. (The verb is 'to perish'; 'perishable' is only an adjective/noun.)
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'perishable' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While most commonly associated with food, it can describe any organic matter (e.g., flowers, wood) or abstract concepts (e.g., hopes, peace) that are transient or easily destroyed.
The noun form is 'perishables' (usually plural), referring to perishable goods or items. The related noun for the concept is 'perishability'.
'Perishable' refers to natural decay or spoilage. 'Expirable' (or more commonly 'expiring') refers specifically to reaching a predetermined end date, often set by humans (e.g., a passport, a coupon). Milk is perishable and has an expiration date.