degradable

adjective

de·​grad·​able di-ˈgrā-də-bəl 

dē-

: capable of being chemically degraded

degradable detergents

compare biodegradable

degradability

di-ˌgrā-də-ˈbi-lə-tē 

dē-

noun

Examples of degradable in a Sentence

plastic that is not degradable

Recent Examples on the Web

Look for commercial cleaners that are bio-degradable and safe for storm drains. — Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 30 Aug. 2025

Using flimsy or degradable sealants that allow bats to reenter. — Alora Bopray, USA Today, 24 June 2026

There are other eco-friendly pregnancy tests on the horizon, most notably Hoopsy out of the UK and Lia, a promising bio-degradable test that’s struggling to meet demand. — Rachael Schultz, Health, 24 Feb. 2023

Some straw manufacturers now make their products with bioplastics, like polylactic acid made from corn, but as the study authors note, polylactic acid (PLA) straws are not marine-degradable. — Melissa Breyer, Treehugger, 2 Feb. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1962, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for degradable

• tradable
• tradeable
• biodegradable

Medical Definition

degradable

adjective

de·​grad·​able di-ˈgrād-ə-bəl 

: capable of being chemically degraded

degradable detergents

degradability

-ˌgrād-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun

plural degradabilities