detectable

IPA/dɪˈtektəbl/
KK[dɪtˈɛktəbəl]IPA/dɪˈtektəbl/

detectable — adjective

  • detectablepositive
  • more detectablecomparative
  • most detectablesuperlative

1. present clearly enough for people or equipment to find, notice, or measure

1.adjectiveC1
Definition

present clearly enough for people or equipment to find, notice, or measure

Example

A faint smell of smoke was still detectable in the hallway.

be + detectable in [place]

By morning, traces of sugar were detectable in Jin's blood test.

detectable in a test result

Common collocations
  • detectable level
  • detectable change
  • detectable trace
  • detectable amount
  • barely detectable
  • readily detectable
Synonyms
  • noticeable

    more everyday and often stronger; it suggests something stands out more clearly

  • perceptible

    more formal and often used for slight changes noticed by the senses

  • measurable

    narrower; emphasizes that the result can be counted or expressed in numbers

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

be + detectable in/on/by

barely/hardly/still + detectable

detectable + noun

Usage Note

Usually describes a weak sign, trace, change, or effect that can still be found by careful observation or by a test. Common in scientific, medical, and technical contexts, and often modified by adverbs such as 'barely', 'hardly', and 'still'.

Common Mistakes

The twins are detectable because of their matching jackets.
The twins are recognizable because of their matching jackets.
'detectable' is used for signs, traces, or changes that can be found, not for identifying who someone is.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

'Detectable' is often used when a weak sign, trace, or change can still be found by careful checking, close attention, or a test. 'Noticeable' is more everyday and often sounds stronger, as if the thing stands out more clearly. 'Perceptible' is formal and usually focuses on something slight that the senses can pick up. 'Measurable' is narrower because it stresses that the result can be expressed in figures or amounts. A smell can be detectable in a room, a pause can be perceptible in conversation, and a rise in sales can be measurable in a report.

detectable ↗noticeable ↗perceptible ↗measurable ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • barely detectable
  • readily detectable
  • detectable in a test
  • detectable to the human eye

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinEnglish

Formed from the verb 'detect' and the adjective suffix '-able'. 'Detect' entered English from Latin roots meaning to uncover or bring something to light. The adjective keeps the idea that something can be found when people look for it or test for it.