durable

adjective

du·ra·ble ˈdu̇r-ə-bəl

also ˈdyu̇r-

Synonyms of durable next

: able to exist for a long time without significant deterioration in quality or value

a durable suitcase

also : designed to be durable

durable goods

durability

ˌdu̇r-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē

ˌdyu̇r-

noun

durableness

ˈdu̇r-ə-bəl-nəs

ˈdyu̇r-

noun

durably

ˈdu̇r-ə-blē

ˈdyu̇r-

adverb

Did you know?

Something durable lasts a long time, so it's no surprise that the word comes to us, via Anglo-French, from the Latin verb durare, meaning "to last." Other descendants of durare in English include during, endure, and durance (which now mostly turns up in the phrase "in durance vile," a fancy way of saying "in prison"). Durable even has a near synonym in the much rarer perdurable, which combines durare with the prefix per- (meaning "throughout") to create a word that can mean "lasting a very long time or indefinitely" or "eternal."

Choose the Right Synonym for durable

lasting, permanent, durable, stable mean enduring for so long as to seem fixed or established.

lasting implies a capacity to continue indefinitely.

a book that left a lasting impression on me

permanent adds usually the implication of being designed or planned to stand or continue indefinitely.

permanent living arrangements

durable implies power to resist destructive agencies.

durable fabrics

stable implies lastingness because of resistance to being overturned or displaced.

a stable government

Examples of durable in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Thanks to its thick, machine-washable chenille cover and strong stitching, the bean bag feels durable and high-quality. —

Phoebe Sklansky, Parents, 25 Nov. 2023 Not only is the bag fitted with a convenient USB port to use your portable charger without leaving your phone at risk of theft, but it’s even designed with a durable, protective material that’s well suited for adventuring in any weather. —

Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 25 Nov. 2023 Like nearly everyone huddled in Gaza’s ruins, Palestinian activist Mai Rajab hoped for a more durable pause than this one, which fell on her birthday. —

Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 24 Nov. 2023 Every traveler needs a durable winter boot for snowy days. —

Meaghan Kenny, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Nov. 2023 The multi-compartment bag is made from durable, water-repellent nylon, and features a padded pocket for a 16-inch laptop. —

Rachel Chang, wsj.com, 24 Nov. 2023 Its sleek durable shell is just a bonus, which is sure to last for years to come. —

Madison Yauger, Peoplemag, 23 Nov. 2023 On top of being effective, this walter filtration system has a heavy duty, high-capacity tank that is corrosion resistant and reinforced with durable fiberglass. —

Andrea Wurzburger, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Nov. 2023 For us, Scandi style means avoiding trends and staying true to high-quality, durable materials that can be worn season after season. —

Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 21 Nov. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'durable.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.