playability

[ pley-uh-bil-i-tee ]

noun

1. the quality or state of being playable: Poor graphics and counterintuitive controls negatively affected the playability of the video game.

   The sound and playability of vintage instruments depends on how well they are maintained.

   Poor graphics and counterintuitive controls negatively affected the playability of the video game.

Word History and Origins

Origin of playability¹

First recorded in 1880–85; play(able) ( def ) + -ability ( def )

Example Sentences

Given its infinite-exploration playability, it is one of the last games you would expect to have a robust speedrunning community.

From New York Times

“When people come in and are thinking it’s synthetic turf, that it looks like carpet, that’s great. But for me the best thing is when players are coming off the field and they say it played well. It’s playability, and then we go for looks.”

From Los Angeles Times

“We need to look at the long term playability of both of these films, because they’re going to have ... very different journeys to their final box-office result,” Dergarabedian said.

From Los Angeles Times

“I know it’s been said before, but I think opening to $38-39 million is just the start. These kind of exits polls translate to playability.”

From Seattle Times

The slipperiness led turf management experts to theorize that the NFL prioritized the field’s aesthetics over its playability, that the league manipulated the grass so it would look lush and green to the potential detriment of traction.

From Washington Post