Eatable Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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eatable

[ˈiːtəbl ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

food

Suitable or safe for consumption; edible.

Synonyms

consumable, digestible, edible.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
eatable

Used when referring to food that is palatable but not necessarily delicious or nutritious. It implies that the food can be eaten, but it might not be the best tasting.

  • The leftovers are still eatable, though they don't look very appetizing.
  • This bread is a bit stale, but it's still eatable.
edible

Used to describe food that is safe to consume. This term often appears in discussions about wild plants, survival scenarios, or food safety.

  • These berries are edible, but those over there are poisonous.
  • The chef arranged the dish with edible flowers for decoration.
consumable

Used to describe items that can be consumed, including food and non-food items such as fuel or office supplies. It has a broader meaning beyond just food.

  • The store stocks a wide variety of consumables such as paper, ink, and snacks.
  • Fuel is one of the primary consumables for any vehicle.
digestible

Used when talking about food that is easy to break down in the digestive system. It commonly appears in discussions about health and diet.

  • After the surgery, it's important to stick to soft and digestible foods.
  • Whole grains are usually more digestible than refined grains.

Examples of usage

  • This fruit is definitely eatable.
  • The soup smells so good, it must be eatable.
Context #2 | Noun

slang

A person who is desirable or attractive.

Synonyms

appealing, attractive, desirable.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
eatable

Used to describe food that is safe and acceptable to eat, although it may not be of the highest quality.

  • The bread is a bit stale, but it's still eatable.
  • The fruit may not look perfect, but it's perfectly eatable.
attractive

Often used to describe something or someone that is very pleasing to look at.

  • The garden looks very attractive in the spring.
  • He is an attractive person with a great sense of style.
desirable

Used to describe something that is wanted or wished for, often because it is of good quality or favorable.

  • A good job in a prestigious company is highly desirable.
  • The new model of the car is very desirable among collectors.
appealing

Used to describe something that is attractive or interesting, often in a general sense, not limited to food.

  • The new smartphone design is very appealing to young people.
  • She has a very appealing smile.

Examples of usage

  • She's a real eatable, isn't she?
  • He's such an eatable guy.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Culinary Arts

  • Eatable foods usually have appealing flavors and textures, making them enjoyable on the palate.
  • Chefs often distinguish between 'eatable' and 'uneatable' when assessing cuisine quality for restaurants.
  • In gourmet cooking, even visually unappealing items can be made eatable through creative presentation and flavor combinations.

Health & Nutrition

  • Eatable does not only describe taste but also safety; some items can be technically edible but not safe or healthy to consume.
  • Nutritional labels help consumers determine what foods are not just eatable, but healthy choices as well.
  • Foods labeled as eatable often meet certain health standards, ensuring they provide nourishment.

Pop Culture

  • In popular cooking shows, contestants are often judged on the eatability of their dishes, impacting their success.
  • Cooking blogs frequently explore the trend of making unusual ingredients eatable by transforming them with recipes.

Environmental Science

  • In sustainability efforts, researchers aim to increase the eatability of agricultural products by reducing waste.
  • Some initiatives focus on making commonly wasted food (like vegetable scraps) eatable in new recipes.

Origin of 'eatable'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'eatable' comes from the Middle English word 'etabil', which means suitable to eat.
  • Rooted in the Old English 'etan', meaning 'to eat', reflecting the simple idea of consuming food.

The word 'eatable' originated in the early 17th century, formed by adding the suffix '-able' to the word 'eat'. It has been used to describe food that is suitable for consumption. In more recent times, especially in slang, 'eatable' has also been used to refer to a person who is considered attractive or appealing.


See also: eat, eaten, eater, eatery, overeat, overeater, overeating.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #32,496 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.