eatable
/'i:təbl/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective:
- Suitable for use as food; fit to be eaten: Describes something that is safe and appropriate for consumption. It often implies the food is of acceptable quality, though not necessarily delicious.
Noun:
- (Usually plural: eatables) Any substance that can be used as food; food, provisions: Refers to items of food, especially when considered collectively as supplies.
Usage
- Adjective: Used to describe the quality of being edible. It is more formal than "edible" and often used in contexts discussing the safety or suitability of food.
- Noun: Used, typically in its plural form "eatables," to refer to food items in a general or somewhat old-fashioned way. It is less common in modern everyday speech.
Examples
Adjective:
- After checking the expiry date, we confirmed the canned beans were still eatable.
- The berries looked ripe and eatable.
Noun:
- We packed some simple eatables for the picnic: bread, cheese, and fruit.
- The market stall sold various local eatables and drinkables.
Advanced Usage
- The adjective "eatable" is sometimes contrasted with "palatable." "Eatable" means safe to eat, while "palatable" means pleasant to taste.
- The military rations were eatable but far from palatable.
- In legal or regulatory contexts, "eatable" can describe food that meets safety standards.
- The inspector declared the kitchen's produce eatable and up to code.
Variants and Related Words
- Edible (adj/n): The more common synonym for "eatable." As a noun (often "edibles"), it can specifically refer to food items, including those infused with cannabis.
- Comestible (adj/n, formal): Fit to be eaten; foodstuff. More formal than "eatable."
- Palatable (adj): Pleasant to taste.
- Inedible (adj): Not fit to be eaten.
Synonyms
- Adjective: Edible, consumable, safe to eat.
- Noun: Food, provisions, foodstuffs, comestibles, victuals (archaic).
Antonyms
- Adjective: Inedible, uneatable, non-edible.
- Noun: (Conceptually) Poison, toxin, inedible substance.
Notes
- While "eatable" and "edible" are often interchangeable, "edible" is significantly more frequent in modern English. "Eatable" can sometimes carry a slight connotation of being merely adequate or just safe enough to eat, whereas "edible" is a more neutral term.
- The noun form "eatables" is considered somewhat dated or quaint but is still understood.
Adjective
- suitable for use as food
Noun
- any substance that can be used as food