French word

potable

Pronunciation

IPA/potabl/

Meaning

  • adjectivesafe to drink

Example

Cette eau n'est pas potable.

This water is not safe to drink.

Illustration for potable (safe to drink)

More examples

L'eau du robinet est-elle potable ici ?

Is the tap water drinkable here?

Core concept

A liquid, especially water, that can be consumed safely.

Common phrases

  • eau potable

    potable water

Similar words

sûr: Free from danger or harmful elements.
propre: Clean and free from dirt or contamination.

Definition in French

Qui peut être bu sans risque pour la santé, le plus souvent employé pour l'eau destinée à la consommation humaine.

Word origin

French potable comes from Latin potabilis, formed from potare, 'to drink', with the suffix -abilis, meaning 'able to be'.

Usage tips

  • Potable has the same singular form for masculine and feminine, while the plural adds -s: un liquide potable, une eau potable, des eaux potables.

Opposites

  • improprenot fit for drinkingadjective

Word lists with this word