durable

[ door-uh-buhl, dyoor- ]

adjective

1. able to resist wear, decay, etc., well; lasting; enduring.

   Synonyms: permanent

   Antonyms: transitory, weak

noun

1. durables. durable goods.

durable

/ ˈdjʊərəbəl /

adjective

1. long-lasting; enduring

   a durable fabric

Derived Forms

• ˈdurably, adverb
• ˌduraˈbility, noun

Other Words From

• du·ra·bil·i·ty [d, oo, r-, uh, -, bil, -i-tee, dy, oo, r-], du·ra·ble·ness noun
• du·ra·bly adverb
• un·du·ra·ble adjective
• un·du·ra·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of durable¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin dūrābilis; dure ², -able

Word History and Origins

Origin of durable¹

C14: from Old French, from Latin dūrābilis, from dūrāre to last; see endure

Example Sentences

Having a “durable” power of attorney stays in effect if you’re incapacitated up until your death.

From Salon

You can name your health care proxy who can do this through a durable power of attorney.

From Salon

All of this is in spite of the American economy being literally "the envy of the world" with a robust job market that hasn't been seen since the 1960s, roaring markets, high consumer spending on durable goods and travel and what would normally be considered a very reasonable inflation rate.

From Salon

There is a reckoning brewing that the mainstream media apparatuses Democrats stuck to are no longer sufficient, and that it’s time for the libs to own a durable apparatus to take on the right wing’s domination of their once-favorite mediums.

From Slate

Even the English Football League's most durable manager has succumbed.

From BBC

Related Words

• dependable
• enduring
• lasting
• permanent
• reliable
• stable
• strong
• tenacious