writable

IPA/ˈraɪ.tə.bəl/
IPA/ˈraɪ.t̬ə.bəl/

writable — adjective

  • writablepositive
  • more writablecomparative
  • most writablesuperlative

1. describes digital storage media such as CDs, USB drives, or hard drives that a c

1.adjectiveB1
Definition

describes digital storage media such as CDs, USB drives, or hard drives that a computer can store new data or files onto.

Example

The CD-RW drive lets you burn data onto a writable disc.

collocation: writable disc / rewritable disc

Priya copied her photos onto a writable DVD for safekeeping.

attributive use: writable DVD

Common collocations
  • writable disc
  • writable DVD
  • writable USB drive
  • writable storage
  • writable medium
Synonyms
  • recordable

    often used for blank optical media that accept a single write session

  • blank

    describes empty media; writability is implied but not guaranteed

Antonyms
  • read-only

    media that cannot have new data written onto it

Grammar Patterns

writable + noun

be + writable

make + noun + writable

Usage Note

Subject is typically a storage medium (disc, drive, card). Often contrasted with 'read-only' or 'write-protected'.

Common Mistakes

This DVD is rewritable' (when you mean it can be written to for the first time).
This DVD is writable
'rewritable' means it can be erased and reused; 'writable' simply means data can be stored on it, even once.

2. able to have words, symbols, or marks made on a surface such as paper, a whitebo

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

able to have words, symbols, or marks made on a surface such as paper, a whiteboard, or a wall using a pen, marker, or stylus.

Example

The whiteboard in the classroom is writable with dry-erase markers.

predicative: surface is writable with [tool]

Hassan checked whether the exam paper was writable with a fountain pen.

predicative: was writable with [tool]

Common collocations
  • writable surface
  • writable label
  • writable wall
  • writable paint
  • writable paper
Synonyms
  • writeable

    alternative spelling, less common but accepted

  • markable

    broader — includes any surface that can take a mark

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

writable + noun

be + writable

Usage Note

Much less common than the computing sense (sense 1). Typically describes physical surfaces designed for writing on, rather than digital storage.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All three words describe storage media, but they differ in write capacity and reuse. 'Writable' is the broadest term — any medium that can accept data, even once. 'Recordable' is often used for optical discs (CD-R, DVD-R) that accept a single writing session and then become read-only. 'Rewritable' (CD-RW, DVD-RW) can be erased and rewritten many times, making it flexible for backup. 'Blank' simply means the medium has no data yet; it is usually writable, but a blank disc could technically be defective. For everyday use: a blank DVD is writable; a recordable DVD accepts one session; a rewritable DVD can be used again and again.

recordable ↗rewritable ↗blank ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • writable surface
  • writable medium
  • writable area
  • writable format

Adverbs

  • easily writable
  • fully writable
  • directly writable

Phrases

  • make something writable
  • become writable

Prepositions

  • writable with
  • writable onto
  • writable by

Etymology

Old EnglishEnglish

Formed from the verb 'write' (from Old English 'writan', meaning to scratch or carve letters) plus the suffix '-able' (meaning capable of being). The compound appears in English in the mid-19th century for paper and surfaces, and was extended to computer storage media in the late 20th century.

First known use

1782

1782, in the meaning defined at sense 1