What does durable mean?
Word: Durable
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Durable means able to stay in good condition for a long time, even when it is used a lot.
Synonyms: hard-wearing, long-lasting
Antonyms: fragile
Word origin: From Old French, from a Latin verb meaning to last or to harden.
How do you spell durable?
Syllables: du - ra - ble
Tricky part: The ending is able, not ible: durable belongs with capable and notable. Students who know terrible and visible often slip an i in.
Watch out for: durible, durabel, dureable
Memory tip: Something durable is something you are able to use for years: let that thought fix the ending in your mind.
Durable in a sentence
Example 1: Mum bought durable steel tiffin boxes that should last until my little brother starts school.
Example 2: The new cricket pads are light but durable.
Example 3: Jute is a durable fibre grown widely in West Bengal.
Fun Fact
The Iron Pillar in Delhi, around 1,600 years old, is famous for how little it has rusted, a striking example of durable metalwork.
Practise the CREST Way
Spell Spies
Which word is spelt incorrectly?
a) valuable
b) reliable
c) agreable
d) durable
Show answer
c) agreable. Agreeable keeps both e's of agree before the ending is added.
Spell Probe
Find the misspelt word in the sentence and choose its meaning:
These durable canvas school bags can last three years, although the zips may wear out sooner if they are handled rufly.
a) fasteners with two rows of metal or plastic teeth
b) to become weak or damaged through use
c) in a rough, careless way
d) a strong, heavy cloth used for bags and tents
Show answer
c) in a rough, careless way. Roughly keeps the ough of rough; rufly is how it sounds, not how it is spelt.
Word Tally
You get 2 marks for each correctly spelt word in the list. How many marks will you get?
durable, robust, resiliant, sturdy, lightweigt
a) 10
b) 6
c) 8
d) 4
Show answer
b) 6. Resilient ends in ient and lightweight keeps the gh before its last t, so durable, robust and sturdy score 6 marks.
Jumble Tumble
What is the meaning of the word that can be formed from the given letters?
raudleb
a) lasting a long time without wearing out
b) able to bend without breaking
c) very heavy and hard to move
d) easily broken or damaged
Show answer
a) lasting a long time without wearing out. The seven letters rearrange to durable, which describes things that last.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which material is the most durable choice for a park bench that stays outdoors all year?
a) thin plywood
b) plain chipboard
c) treated teak wood
d) soft balsa wood
Show answer
c) treated teak wood
2. Durable goods, such as fridges and washing machines, are goods that ___.
a) are made by hand in small workshops
b) must be used up within a week or so
c) are expected to last for several years
d) are sold only during the winter months
Show answer
c) are expected to last for several years
