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Glite Dictionary
decayable

decayable

6.5
Able to rot or break down naturally
  • adjective
  • /dɪˈkeɪəbl/
translation icon : descomponible
  • Many food items are decayable if not stored properly.

Examples

  • Proper storage can extend the lifespan of decayable food items.

  • Compost is made from decayable materials.

  • Fresh organic waste is highly decayable and must be processed quickly.

  • Packaging materials made from decayable substances are considered more environmentally friendly.

  • Fresh organic waste is highly decayable and must be processed quickly.

  • Proper storage can extend the lifespan of decayable food items.

  • Packaging materials made from decayable substances are considered more environmentally friendly.

Synonyms

biodegradable
vsdecayable
  • Specialized
15 4.6

Material that living things such as bacteria break down naturally without harming the environment

is about becoming rotten or putrid rather than safe natural breakdown
perishable
vsdecayable
12 4.6

Likely to go bad quickly, especially food

is liable to decay not necessarily within a short time
degradable
vsdecayable
  • Specialized
1 4.4

Can break down naturally by bacteria or chemicals

is focused on rotting or putrefaction not general chemical breakdown
putrescible
vsdecayable
  • Specialized
9.9

Likely to rot, like food or plant waste

is liable to rot or decompose generally
putrefiable
vsdecayable
9.8

Able to rot and produce a bad smell

is capable of decaying or spoiling in general
spoilable
vsdecayable
5.8

Likely to go bad and become unsafe to eat or use

is about rotting or becoming putrid rather than just unusable

How Perishable

rotten
81 1.0
decayable
6.5

Surface Forms

decayable positive

Morphology

decayable = decay (transparent) = decay + able

Standard adjectival formation from the verb 'decay' with '-able', yielding the clear meaning 'able to decay'.

Etymology

The word decayable is built from decay, meaning 'to rot or spoil', and the ending -able, meaning 'can be'. So, decayable means 'can rot or spoil', which is why we call food or organic waste decayable when it breaks down.