decomposable
decomposable — adjective
- decomposablepositive
- more decomposablecomparative
- most decomposablesuperlative
1. able to break down or be separated into simpler substances, especially through n
able to break down or be separated into simpler substances, especially through natural chemical or biological processes — for example, food waste that rots in a compost heap, or a container made from plant fibres that decays in the soil.
The gardener put decomposable kitchen scraps into the compost pile.
collocation: decomposable kitchen scraps
Many takeaway containers are now made from decomposable plant fibres.
The city council collects decomposable waste separately from other rubbish.
Paper bags are fully decomposable and cause far less harm to wildlife than plastic ones.
Not all plastics marked as green are actually decomposable in a home compost bin.
- biodegradable
narrower — refers specifically to breakdown by living organisms such as bacteria; all biodegradable items are decomposable, but not all decomposable items are biodegradable
- degradable
broader — can mean breakdown by any means (heat, light, chemicals); less common in everyday use
- breakable
different meaning — breakable refers to physical snapping or shattering, not chemical or biological breakdown
- non-decomposable
opposite — cannot break down under normal conditions; used for plastics that last centuries in landfills
- permanent
broader opposite — implies no change over time, whereas decomposable implies natural change
文法句型
be + decomposable
decomposable + noun
用法筆記
Most common in environmental and scientific writing. The prefix non- is often attached (non-decomposable) to describe materials that resist breakdown.