Separable: meaning, definitions and examples

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separable

 

[ ˈsɛp(ə)rəb(ə)l ]

Adjective / Adverb
Context #1 | Adjective

in grammar

Capable of being separated.

Synonyms

detachable, disjoinable, divisible.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
separable

Used when referring to something that can be divided into parts or disconnected without affecting its overall function.

  • The layers of the cake are easily separable.
  • In grammar, some phrasal verbs are separable.
divisible

Commonly used in mathematical contexts to describe a number that can be divided by another number without leaving a remainder, but can also describe anything that can be divided into parts.

  • 10 is divisible by 2.
  • The cake is divisible into eight pieces.
detachable

Best used when talking about something that can be removed or separated from something else, typically designed for this purpose.

  • The hood on this jacket is detachable.
  • The camera has a detachable lens.
disjoinable

Primarily used in more technical or formal contexts to describe something that can be separated or taken apart.

  • The components in this machine are disjoinable.
  • These mathematical sets are disjoinable.

Examples of usage

  • The verb 'to be' is not separable in English grammar.
  • In German, some verbs are separable, while others are not.
Context #2 | Adverb

in everyday language

Able to be divided or detached.

Synonyms

detachably, disjoinably, divisibly.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
separable

Use when describing something that can be divided or taken apart easily without affecting its main components.

  • The two parts of the machine are separable, making it easier to transport.
  • The idea of work and play being separable is outdated.
divisibly

Use when something can be divided into smaller parts, especially in mathematical or numerical contexts.

  • This number is divisibly by three.
  • The team can be split into smaller, divisibly manageable groups.
detachably

Useful when referring to something that can be detached or removed without damaging the main structure.

  • The phone case is designed detachably for easy cleaning.
  • The laptop screen can be attached and used detachably as a tablet.
disjoinably

Formal or technical term, often used in mathematical or logical contexts, to describe something that can be separated into distinct parts.

  • In this set, elements are categorized disjoinably according to their properties.
  • The conditions are defined disjoinably, ensuring no overlap.

Examples of usage

  • The two friends were inseparable, always together.
  • The team worked together seamlessly, their tasks separably divided.

Translations

Translations of the word "separable" in other languages:

🇵🇹 separável

🇮🇳 अलग करने योग्य

🇩🇪 trennbar

🇮🇩 terpisah

🇺🇦 відокремлюваний

🇵🇱 rozdzielny

🇯🇵 分離可能な

🇫🇷 séparable

🇪🇸 separable

🇹🇷 ayrılabilir

🇰🇷 분리 가능한

🇸🇦 قابل للانفصال

🇨🇿 oddělitelný

🇸🇰 oddeliteľný

🇨🇳 可分离的

🇸🇮 ločljiv

🇮🇸 aðskiljanlegur

🇰🇿 бөлінетін

🇬🇪 გამოსაყოფი

🇦🇿 ayrılan

🇲🇽 separable

Etymology

The word 'separable' originates from the Latin word 'separabilis', which is derived from the verb 'separare', meaning 'to separate'. The term has been used in English since the 15th century and has been commonly used in grammar and everyday language to describe things that can be divided or detached.

See also: separated, separately, separating, separation, separatism, separatist.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #13,578, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.