degradable
/dɪˈɡreɪdəbl/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪˈɡreɪdəbl/ (ame, ipa) · /di-ˈgrā-də-bəl dē-/ (ame, mw)
degradable — adjective
- degradablepositive
- more degradablecomparative
- most degradablesuperlative
1. able to turn into simpler substances through chemical change over time, often af
able to turn into simpler substances through chemical change over time, often after being left in nature or in waste treatment conditions.
The company switched to degradable food trays for the school canteen.
degradable + packaging noun
This packing foam is degradable, so it will not stay in the field for years.
predicative: be degradable
Rafael asked whether the degradable film would break apart after one rainy season.
Farmers prefer degradable clips that do not build up in the soil.
The label says the cup is degradable under warm, wet compost conditions.
- biodegradable
narrower; specifically suggests breakdown by living organisms
- compostable
stricter; usually means the material can break down in composting conditions
- decomposable
more technical and less common in everyday product language
- non-degradable
direct opposite; not able to break down in the relevant conditions
- persistent
used especially for substances that remain in the environment for a long time
文法句型
degradable + noun
be degradable in soil
fully / readily degradable
用法筆記
Most often describes materials, packaging, or farm products in environmental or technical contexts. Unlike biodegradable, it does not always say that living organisms are the thing causing the breakdown.