washable

washable — adjective

1. made to be cleaned with water and soap or detergent without tearing, shrinking,

1.adjectiveB1
Definition

made to be cleaned with water and soap or detergent without tearing, shrinking, or losing colour

Example

Kabir checked the label to see if the wool sweater was washable.

predicative: be + washable

The kindergarten teacher bought washable markers for the classroom easel.

attributive: washable + noun

Common collocations
  • washable fabric
  • washable ink
  • washable marker
  • washable paint
  • washable nappy (BrE)/diaper (AmE)
  • washable label
Synonyms
  • machine-washable

    more specific — means safe in a washing machine rather than by hand

  • cleanable

    broader — does not specify water or method of cleaning

  • launderable

    formal, mostly of clothing that can be professionally laundered

Antonyms
  • dry-clean only

    instruction that prohibits washing with water

  • delicate

    fabric care label meaning special handling needed, often not washable in standard cycle

Grammar Patterns

washable + noun

be + washable

Usage Note

Often used as a compound with 'machine-' (machine-washable) on clothing labels. 'Washable' itself implies washing by hand or machine; if you mean only by machine, use 'machine-washable'.

Common Mistakes

This shirt is washable in the machine on cold.
This shirt is machine-washable on cold.
'washable' already means it can be washed; if a machine is specified, use 'machine-washable'.
These shoes are washable so they keep my feet dry.
These shoes are waterproof so they keep my feet dry.
'washable' means you can clean them with water, not that water stays out.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

Washable is the everyday word for items that can be cleaned with water and soap without damage. Machine-washable is a narrower term used specifically when a washing machine is safe — many wool garments are washable by hand but not machine-washable. Cleanable is broader and less specific; it can refer to any method (wiping, scrubbing, dry-cleaning), not just washing with water. Launderable is formal and mainly applies to clothing that can be professionally laundered. In daily life, you might say 'This rug is washable' (you can hose it down) but 'This suit is dry-clean only, not washable.'

washable ↗machine-washablecleanablelaunderable

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

  • completely washable
  • fully washable
  • easily washable

Phrases

  • machine washable
  • hand washable
  • washable and reusable

Etymology

Old EnglishLatinEnglish

Formed from the English verb 'wash' (from Old English wascan, meaning to cleanse with water) plus the suffix '-able' (from Latin -abilis, meaning 'capable of being'). The word has been in use since at least the 15th century, originally referring to fabrics that could withstand laundering.