potable

[ poh-tuh-buhl ]

adjective

1. fit or suitable for drinking:

   potable water.

noun

1. Usually potables. drinkable liquids; beverages.

potable

/ ˈpəʊtəbəl /

adjective

1. fit to drink; drinkable

noun

1. something fit to drink; a beverage

Derived Forms

• ˌpotaˈbility, noun

Other Words From

• pota·bili·ty pota·ble·ness noun
• non·pota·ble adjective noun
• un·pota·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of potable¹

1565–75; < Late Latin pōtābilis drinkable, equivalent to Latin pōtā ( re ) to drink + -bilis -ble

Word History and Origins

Origin of potable¹

C16: from Late Latin pōtābilis drinkable, from Latin pōtāre to drink

Example Sentences

Desalination is a widely used method to produce potable water, however an energy-intensive process is required to separate the dissolved salt in saltwater.

From Science Daily

The city had to shut off potable water to residents at midnight after a water main broke, officials said.

From Los Angeles Times

“We recently experienced the worst drought in one hundred years,” the paleontologist adds, and Montevideo was hit by a lack of potable water.

From Salon

Still, the lure of connecting with bygone civilizations by reviving their potent potables appears to be surging.

From New York Times

“The lack of potable water itself will mean that people will start using water from reservoirs that is not of good quality.”

From Seattle Times