WordGarden.iomarketable
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /mˈɑːkɪtəbəl/
US
- /ˈmɑrkətəbəl/
Meanings
Adjective
likely to sell well or attract buyers
able to be bought and sold on a financial market
legally fit to be sold because the title is clear of serious defects
Beyond the definition
Something that's "marketable" isn't just good - it's good and likely to be bought. Think of a talented baker. They might make incredible cakes, but if nobody knows about them or wants to pay for them, their skill isn't very marketable. It means having qualities that appeal to potential customers and make something easier to sell. A new invention needs to be marketable before investors will fund it; a job seeker needs to present themselves as marketable to employers.
The word comes from "market," of course - the place where things are bought and sold. But "marketable" isn't limited to physical goods. Ideas, skills, even people can be described this way. A politician might try to make their policies more marketable by presenting them in a way that appeals to a wider audience.
"Marketable" describes something with the potential to be successfully sold or promoted - meaning it is attractive to a target market and likely to find buyers. It is not simply about quality; a beautifully crafted item is not marketable if nobody wants to buy it.
Originally tied to physical goods traded in a marketplace, "marketable" now extends far beyond that. A skill is marketable if there is demand for it - like coding or graphic design. An idea is marketable if people are willing to support or invest in it. Even you are "marketable" as an employee if you can show skills and qualities employers want.
The context often shapes the nuance. In business, a "marketable product" is one that people want and will pay for. In personal branding, being "marketable" means presenting yourself in a way that highlights your strengths and appeals to potential employers or clients.
Sometimes "marketable" carries a slightly negative connotation, suggesting something is shaped too much by trends or sales appeal rather than genuine quality. But in most cases, it is a practical, positive term. If something is described as marketable, think beyond its basic value and consider whether it can connect with an audience and realistically be sold, promoted, or used to create opportunities.
Examples
- 1
Product packaging
The company changed the packaging to make the product more marketable.
- 2
Job search
Her design degree and coding skills made her more marketable to employers.
- 3
Career skills
Fresh graduates often need marketable skills, not just good grades.
- 4
Film industry
The script was funny, but the studio did not think it was marketable as a children’s movie.
- Patternmarketable as + role
likely to succeed if presented or sold in that role
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Finance
The fund keeps part of its money in marketable securities.
- Phrasemarketable securities
investments that can usually be sold quickly
See also
Similar
- saleable
- sellable
- in demand
Shades of meaning
- commercially viable
- bankable
Contrast
- unmarketable
- unsalable
Used with (collocations)
- marketable skills
- marketable product
- marketable securities
- highly marketable
Word family
Explore
- consumer demand
- value proposition
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- marketableadjective