Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Suitable for use as food; fit to be eaten: Describes something that is safe and appropriate for consumption. It often implies the food is of acceptable quality, though not necessarily delicious.

2. Noun:

   • (Usually plural: eatables) Any substance that can be used as food; food, provisions: Refers to items of food, especially when considered collectively as supplies.

Usage

• Adjective: Used to describe the quality of being edible. It is more formal than "edible" and often used in contexts discussing the safety or suitability of food.
• Noun: Used, typically in its plural form "eatables," to refer to food items in a general or somewhat old-fashioned way. It is less common in modern everyday speech.

Examples

• Adjective:

  • After checking the expiry date, we confirmed the canned beans were still eatable.
  • The berries looked ripe and eatable.

• Noun:

  • We packed some simple eatables for the picnic: bread, cheese, and fruit.
  • The market stall sold various local eatables and drinkables.

Advanced Usage

• The adjective "eatable" is sometimes contrasted with "palatable." "Eatable" means safe to eat, while "palatable" means pleasant to taste.
  • The military rations were eatable but far from palatable.
• In legal or regulatory contexts, "eatable" can describe food that meets safety standards.
  • The inspector declared the kitchen's produce eatable and up to code.

Variants and Related Words

• Edible (adj/n): The more common synonym for "eatable." As a noun (often "edibles"), it can specifically refer to food items, including those infused with cannabis.
• Comestible (adj/n, formal): Fit to be eaten; foodstuff. More formal than "eatable."
• Palatable (adj): Pleasant to taste.
• Inedible (adj): Not fit to be eaten.

Synonyms

• Adjective: Edible, consumable, safe to eat.
• Noun: Food, provisions, foodstuffs, comestibles, victuals (archaic).

Antonyms

• Adjective: Inedible, uneatable, non-edible.
• Noun: (Conceptually) Poison, toxin, inedible substance.

Notes

• While "eatable" and "edible" are often interchangeable, "edible" is significantly more frequent in modern English. "Eatable" can sometimes carry a slight connotation of being merely adequate or just safe enough to eat, whereas "edible" is a more neutral term.
• The noun form "eatables" is considered somewhat dated or quaint but is still understood.

Adjective

1. suitable for use as food

Noun

1. any substance that can be used as food