biodegradable

IPA/ˌbaɪəʊdɪˈɡreɪdəbl/
KK[bˌaɪodəɡrˈedəbəl]IPA/ˌbaɪəʊdɪˈɡreɪdəbl/

biodegradable — adjective

  • biodegradablepositive
  • more biodegradablecomparative
  • most biodegradablesuperlative

1. able to break down naturally into harmless material instead of remaining as wast

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

able to break down naturally into harmless material instead of remaining as waste.

Example

These shopping bags are biodegradable and break down after a few months.

collocation: biodegradable bags

The cafe switched to biodegradable cups for the beach festival.

collocation: biodegradable cups

Common collocations
  • biodegradable bags
  • biodegradable cups
  • biodegradable packaging
  • biodegradable material
  • biodegradable film
Synonyms
  • compostable

    narrower; used for materials that break down safely in composting conditions

  • degradable

    broader and less exact; something can degrade without becoming harmless natural material

  • decomposable

    fairly close in meaning, but less common in everyday product labels

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

be biodegradable

biodegradable + bag

biodegradable + cup

biodegradable + material

biodegradable + packaging

Usage Note

Usually describes packaging, bags, cups, films, and other materials rather than actions or people. Often appears in environmental contexts and is commonly contrasted with 'plastic' or 'non-biodegradable' products.

Common Mistakes

These cups can biodegradable.
These cups are biodegradable.
'biodegradable' is an adjective, so use it after 'be'.
This box is recyclable, so it is biodegradable.
This box is biodegradable.' or 'This box is recyclable.
'recyclable' and 'biodegradable' describe different environmental qualities.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

'Biodegradable' describes a material that living organisms can break down naturally, so it does not remain in the environment for a very long time. 'Compostable' is narrower: it usually means the material breaks down safely under composting conditions and becomes compost. 'Degradable' is broader and weaker, because something can degrade into smaller pieces without fully returning to harmless natural matter. 'Recyclable' is different again: it means the item can be collected and remade, not that it breaks down by itself. 'Eco-friendly' is broader still and can describe many kinds of environmental benefit. Compare 'biodegradable food-waste bags', 'compostable coffee pods', and 'recyclable glass bottles'.

biodegradable ↗compostable ↗degradable ↗recyclableeco-friendly ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • biodegradable bag
  • biodegradable cup
  • biodegradable material
  • biodegradable packaging

Adverbs

  • fully biodegradable
  • completely biodegradable

Phrases

  • be biodegradable
  • made from biodegradable material

Etymology

GreekEnglish

Formed in modern English from 'bio-' meaning 'life' and 'degradable', with the idea that a material can be broken down by living organisms such as bacteria. The word became common in discussions of packaging, waste, and environmental protection.