durable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "durable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is able to withstand wear, pressure, or damage, indicating its long-lasting quality. Example: "The new smartphone case is made from durable materials, ensuring it can survive drops and scratches."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Getting more energy from renewables; increased energy efficiency; reducing the income gap; putting more reliable, durable products on the market (have you heard of planned obsolescence?); volunteering more for your community; preserving wetlands, forests, and farmland; shorter commutes and transport routes.

The Guardian

"This is the only model that can allow a homegrown, durable development in Africa... this model mobilises people around leaders who are chosen by the community and in whom they have confidence.

The Guardian

The result is the Ghana Bamboo Bikes Initiative, a social enterprise based in Kumasi, southern Ghana, where strong, lightweight and durable bikes are made out of bamboo and built by an ever-growing team of young people specially trained for the role.

The Guardian

And fishing line is generally made of very durable, long-lasting plastic so they stay in the environment for decades".

The Guardian

The conflict in Gaza has flared up with renewed rocket fire and air strikes as talks in Cairo aimed at forging a durable ceasefire in the six-week war broke down.

The Guardian

Many here are now wondering whether Kapkov's "Moscow experiment" is over, and how durable the changes he introduced will be.

The Guardian

Eventually, Bruins believes Amplino's durable, low-tech solution will give it an edge over the competition.

The Guardian

"And the resulting narrowing of inequality helped support faster and more durable growth, apart from ethical, political or broader social considerations".

The Guardian - Business

But he was also part of a partnership that built remarkably durable relationships with desirable clients (the Economist, Sainsbury's, Volvo) and gave the agency profile that feeling of intelligent middle classness.

The Guardian

The company aims to create and develop integrated print and online magazines for third parties, developing projects speedily but with durable appeal in an industry where 70% of new magazines fold within the first year, Mr Soutar said.

The Guardian

The election of David Trimble as First Minister and the SDLP's new leader Mark Durkan as Deputy First Minister showed how 'robust and durable' the new power-sharing government was, he said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In technical writing, specify the conditions under which something remains "durable", providing quantifiable metrics or standards for its performance.

Common error

Avoid using "durable" to describe intangible concepts like "durable peace" if there's no concrete plan to sustain it. Instead, focus on the measurable steps that contribute to long-term stability.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "durable" is as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe their capacity to withstand wear, decay, or damage. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples where "durable" qualifies nouns like "products", "relationships", and "materials".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

18%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "durable" is a frequently used adjective that describes something's ability to resist wear, decay, or damage, ensuring it lasts a long time. Ludwig AI confirms that it’s grammatically correct and commonly used across varied contexts, especially in news, business, and technical writing. When using "durable", be sure to apply it to tangible or clearly defined concepts to maintain clarity and impact. Alternatives such as "long-lasting" or "sturdy" can be used depending on the desired nuance. The word is most often found in The Guardian and The Economist, indicating its prominence in reputable sources. Overall, "durable" is a valuable word for conveying the robustness and longevity of products, relationships, and systems.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

long-lasting

Focuses on the extended period something can last.

sturdy

Emphasizes the robustness and strength of an object.

resilient

Highlights the ability to recover from difficult conditions.

hard-wearing

Specifically describes resistance to wear through prolonged use.

robust

Indicates overall strength and healthiness in construction or design.

tough

Suggests the capability to withstand considerable force or pressure.

enduring

Implies lasting through time despite challenges.

imperishable

Highlights the inability to decay or be destroyed.

well-built

Focuses on the quality of construction contributing to durability.

long-lived

Refers to a prolonged lifespan.

FAQs

How to use "durable" in a sentence?

You can use "durable" to describe objects or systems that are able to withstand wear, decay, or damage for a long time. For example, "This phone case is made of "durable material"".

What can I say instead of "durable"?

Alternatives to "durable" include "long-lasting", "sturdy", or "resilient", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "durable material" or "durability material"?

"Durable material" is correct. "Durable" is an adjective describing the material. "Durability" is a noun referring to the quality of being durable, and isn't typically used to directly modify "material".

What's the difference between "durable" and "resistant"?

"Durable" implies the ability to withstand wear and last for a long time, while "resistant" suggests the ability to withstand specific types of damage or conditions. A material can be "resistant to water" but not necessarily "long lasting" or "durable".