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Glite Dictionary
merchantability

merchantability

1 8.9
The quality that makes something fit to be sold in shops
  • noun
  • /ˌmɜːrʧəntəˈbɪlɪti/
  • Formal
translation icon : comercialización
  • The seller must guarantee the merchantability of the goods, meaning they should meet acceptable quality standards.

Examples

  • Implied warranties of merchantability and fitness may apply, depending on buyer expectations or a seller's knowledge of why software was bought.

    Academic text (1998)

  • Any warranty of fitness or merchantability of any prize or the function or operation thereof, which shall be the sole responsibility of the manufacturer of the prize.

    Blog text (4)

  • When buying electronics, consumers expect a certain level of merchantability to ensure the product functions as advertised.

  • Before purchasing furniture, it's important to check the merchantability to ensure it is suitable for use.

Synonyms

marketability
vsmerchantability
3 4.1

The ease of selling something

stresses meeting expected standards, not buyer appeal or selling ease
salability
vsmerchantability
1 6.0

How easy it is to sell something

focuses on meeting market standards required for acceptable sale
salableness
vsmerchantability
9.5

How easy it is to sell something

is the same sense but uses a different noun form
saleability
vsmerchantability
  • Formal
5.8

Whether laws and rules let people buy a product

emphasizes market expectations and suitability rather than legal permission

How Marketable

merchantability
  • Formal
1 8.9

Surface Forms

merchantability singular
merchantabilities plural

Morphology

merchantability = merchantable (transparent) = merchant + able + ity

Formed by adding the productive noun-forming suffix '-ity' to 'merchantable' (merchant + -able), so the meaning 'quality of being fit for sale' is directly derived.

Etymology

Merchantability comes from merchant ('seller') + able ('can be') and the ending -ity ('state' or 'quality'). So merchantability means the 'state of being able to be sold', which is why it describes a product that meets the standards for sale.