ratable

IPA/ˈreɪ.tə.bəl/
IPA/ˈreɪ.t̬ə.bəl/

ratable — adjective

  • ratablepositive
  • more ratablecomparative
  • most ratablesuperlative

1. the US spelling of 'rateable'. Both spellings are correct and the word describes

1.形容詞B2
釋義

the US spelling of 'rateable'. Both spellings are correct and the word describes something that is calculated proportionally (see sense 2) or that is subject to property tax (see sense 3).

例句

The accountant calculated a ratable share of the annual bonus for each employee.

ratable share — proportional division of a total

Haruto's warehouse was listed as ratable by the county tax office in Arizona.

用法筆記

This is the standard US spelling; in British English 'rateable' is used. Both spellings share the same two main meanings — proportional calculation and property-tax liability.

常見錯誤

The payment is rateable for US tax purposes.
The payment is ratable for US tax purposes.
💡In American English, use 'ratable' (without the 'e' before the 'a').

2. determined by dividing a total in line with a specific proportion, so that the a

2.形容詞B2
釋義

determined by dividing a total in line with a specific proportion, so that the amount each person pays or receives matches a measure such as time, usage, or value.

例句

The four tenants paid a ratable portion of the water bill based on apartment size.

ratable portion — sharing costs proportionally

Imran got a ratable refund for the three months he did not use his gym membership.

同義詞
  • pro-rata

    Latin phrase that means exactly the same thing; more common in business writing

  • proportional

    broader term; does not always imply calculation by a specific rate

  • apportioned

    focuses on the act of dividing rather than the rate used

反義詞
  • fixed

    a fixed amount does not change based on proportion or usage

  • flat

    a flat rate is the same for everyone regardless of time or quantity

用法筆記

Common in financial, legal, and accounting contexts where costs, refunds, or payments must be divided fairly across time periods or quantities. Often used with 'based on' or 'according to' to specify the measure.

常見錯誤

The ratable share was divided equal.
The ratable share was divided equally.
💡'Equally' (adverb) is needed, not 'equal' (adjective).

3. describes a property, building, or asset that is subject to local taxation based

3.形容詞C1
釋義

describes a property, building, or asset that is subject to local taxation based on its officially assessed value, usually for funding public services.

例句

The old factory building was classified as ratable property by the local council.

collocation: ratable property

All ratable assets in the district were reassessed after the new valuation law took effect.

同義詞
  • taxable

    broader term; applies to income, sales, and other taxes, not just property

  • assessable

    focuses on the valuation step before tax is applied

反義詞
  • exempt

    property that is exempt is not subject to the tax at all

用法筆記

Mainly used in British English and other jurisdictions with a 'rates' system of local property tax. In the US, 'taxable' or 'assessable' is far more common for this meaning.

常見錯誤

The house is ratable for income tax.
The house is ratable for council tax.
💡'Ratable' in this sense refers to local property taxes ('rates'), not national income tax.