separable

1 of 2

adjective

sep·​a·​ra·​ble ˈse-p(ə-)rə-bəl 

1

: capable of being separated or dissociated

separable parts

2

obsolete : causing separation

separability

ˌse-p(ə-)rə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

separableness noun

separability

2 of 2

noun

sep·​a·​ra·​bil·​i·​ty ˌsep(ə)rəˈbilətē 

-lətē, 

-i

: the quality or state of being separable

separability of the nuclear motion from the electronic motion in molecules

—L. M. Branscomb

consider … the separability of the provision from the remainder of the statute

—R. W. Ginnane

Synonyms of separable

Adjective

• divisible
• detachable

Examples of separable in a Sentence

Adjective

His religious and political beliefs are not always separable from each other.

the outdated belief that the atom is the smallest particle of matter and is not separable

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The question of how a 62-year-old redesigns their professional life is not separable from the question of whether the society around them has built the infrastructure — in healthcare, in workforce policy, in financial planning models — to support that redesign. — Avivah Wittenberg-Cox, Forbes.com, 13 May 2026

If the creation of fiction is a layered endeavor—if premise, plot, style, and so on are to some extent separable—then must all the layers be made by the same individual? — Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026

Weather and climate aren’t easily separable, though, and never have been. — Michelle Nijhuis, The Atlantic, 18 Dec. 2025

Whatever investigators ultimately conclude about the D.C. suspect’s motive, the reported timeline in this case features two separable decisions: entry during the Biden-era airlift and an asylum grant in April 2025 under Trump. — Newsweek Editors, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Latin separabilis, from separare

Noun

Medieval Latin separabilitas, from Latin separabilis separable + -itas -ity

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for separable

• inseparable
• irreparable

Kids Definition

separable

adjective

sep·​a·​ra·​ble ˈsep-(ə-)rə-bəl 

: capable of being separated or distinguished

separability

ˌsep-(ə-)rə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun