perishable

Liable to perish, especially naturally subject to quick decomposition or decay.

Adjective

  1. Liable to perish, especially naturally subject to quick decomposition or decay.
    • perishable goods
    • perishable foodstuffs

    Synonyms: ephemeral shortlived

    Antonyms: imperishable unperishable

Origin

From Middle English *persishable, perysabyl, equivalent to perish + -able. Compare Old French perissable (and modern French périssable).

Forms

more perishable most perishable

Derived

nonperishable perishability perishableness perishably

Noun

  1. That which perishes or is short-lived.
  2. Food that does not keep for long.

Forms

perishables