WordGarden.ioperishable
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /pˈɛrɪʃəbəl/
US
- /ˈpɛrɪʃəbəl/
Meanings
Adjective
likely to spoil or decay quickly
Noun
a food or other item that spoils quickly
Beyond the definition
Imagine a beautiful basket of strawberries. They're vibrant red and smell amazing… today. But leave them out too long, and they'll become mushy and moldy. That's because strawberries are perishable – meaning they decay or spoil rapidly.
The word is used most often for food and other goods that need careful storage because they can go bad fast. Think of it as a ticking clock: some things are made to last, while others need to be used, sold, or moved quickly. A farmer needs to transport goods like milk or tomatoes with care so they do not spoil before reaching the market.
The word perishable describes something that is likely to decay or be damaged quickly and has a limited shelf life. It most commonly refers to food items – fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy – but can extend to other things as well. Think of it as vulnerable to the effects of time and environment.
Historically, "perish" meant to die or be destroyed. So something perishable is something that is prone to "perishing," or breaking down. This makes careful handling and storage crucial. A shipping company specializing in perishable goods needs refrigerated trucks and strict timelines to ensure everything arrives fresh.
Beyond food, the term can sometimes be used figuratively. For example, information may be called perishable if it loses value quickly because it is time-sensitive. That use is less common than the everyday use about food and goods, but it still carries the same idea: something that will not stay usable for long.
You'll often see "highly perishable" used to emphasize how quickly something will spoil – like fresh fish or delicate berries. Understanding what is perishable helps us make informed choices about storage, transportation, and consumption, minimizing waste and maximizing enjoyment of things that are fleetingly beautiful…or delicious!
Examples
- 1
Food storage
Please put the perishable food in the fridge as soon as you get home.
- 2
Store discounts
The store marks down perishable items at the end of the day.
- 3
Shipping
We cannot ship perishable goods without cold packs and special packaging.
- 4
Food donations
The charity asked for non-perishable food, so we bought rice and canned beans.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Skill maintenance
Nurses have to refresh some perishable skills regularly, such as emergency procedures.
See also
Similar
- spoilable
- liable to spoil
- short-lived
Shades of meaning
Contrast
- nonperishable
- durable
Used with (collocations)
- perishable food
- perishable goods
- perishable items
- highly perishable
Word family
- perish
- perishability
Explore
- shelf life
- cold chain
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- perishablenounadjective
Forms
- perishablespluralnounadjective