durable

adjective

du·​ra·​ble ˈdu̇r-ə-bəl 

 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

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 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

Original price: $1,076 (Wayfair) Adirondack chairs are comfy and stylish chairs that are especially durable. —Christopher Murray May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2025

That includes the light-emitting diodes, the circuit boards and the durable metal housing that protects the lights in news vans and on film sets. —Laura J. Nelson, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2025

The set includes two chairs and a table made from eucalyptus wood, which is known for its durable, weather- and rot-resistant properties. —Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 25 Apr. 2025

Tumi Alpha 3 Expandable Laptop Brief $625 This sleek and durable briefcase offers ample space for your laptop and essentials, with a design that transitions from the office to the road. —Josh Max, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025

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

Phrases Containing durable

• durable press

Rhymes for durable

• curable
• endurable
• incurable
• insurable
• nondurable
• procurable
• unendurable

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Kids Definition

durable

adjective

du·​ra·​ble ˈd(y)u̇r-ə-bəl 

: able to last a long time

durable clothing

durable goods

durability

ˌd(y)u̇r-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun

durably

ˈd(y)u̇r-ə-blē 

adverb