durable

adjective

du·​ra·​ble ˈdu̇r-ə-bəl How to pronounce durable (audio)
 also  ˈdyu̇r-
: 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 noun
durableness noun
durably
ˈdu̇r-ə-blē How to pronounce durable (audio)
ˈdyu̇r-
adverb

Did you know?

Something durable lasts a long time, so it's apt that durable comes to us (via Anglo-French) from the Latin verb durare, meaning "to last." Other descendants of durare in English include during, endure, and duration, all of which concern things lasting in one way or another. 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Try this trend out for yourself by snagging a pair of these Pumas with an extra-cushioned heel and durable outsole. Izzy Baskette, People.com, 21 May 2025 Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10 has been designed to help enterprise IT departments handle the challenges of hybrid environments and the imperative to integrate AI workloads with a durable operating system. Adrian Bridgwater, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025 If hiking is on your agenda this summer, then a pair of durable, supportive hiking sandals should be part of your footwear rotation. Amber Love Bond, Travel + Leisure, 21 May 2025 Best Wayfair Decor Memorial Day Sales There are also tons of indoor and outdoor decor swaps and upgrades on sale, including area rugs from Joanna Gaines’ collection with Loloi, durable patio lights, and summer-ready throw pillows. Bridget Degnan, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for durable

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin durabilis, from durare to last — more at during

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of durable was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Durable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/durable. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

durable

adjective
du·​ra·​ble ˈd(y)u̇r-ə-bəl How to pronounce durable (audio)
: able to last a long time
durable clothing
durable goods
durably adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on durable

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!