removable
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /rɪmˈuːvəbəl/
US
- /rɪˈmuvəbəl/
Description
- able to be taken off
- detachable
- able to be taken out
- not fixed in place
Imagine building with LEGO bricks. Some pieces stay in place as part of the design, but you can still take them off when needed. That is the idea behind something being removable. It is not fixed in a permanent way, so it can be taken away, lifted off, or separated. A removable cover on a washing machine lets you reach the inside for repairs. Removable wallpaper lets you change a room's look without the mess of traditional wallpaper. The word often suggests convenience, but it can also describe parts that come off only when needed.
The word "removable" describes something that can be removed, detached, or taken off. It suggests a lack of permanence: it is not fixed in place forever and can be separated when needed. Think about things around you, such as a removable hard drive in a computer, a removable seat cushion on a chair, or a removable cover on a container.
"Removable" is often used to highlight convenience or flexibility. A removable battery can be replaced, and removable storage can be moved between devices. It is the opposite of "permanent" or "fixed." You would not usually describe a built-in bookshelf as "removable," but you could use the word for a window sticker, a phone case, or a machine panel designed to come off.
The context can also suggest how hard or easy it is to remove something. A "removable stain" may come out with cleaning, while a "removable component" in a machine might still need tools to take off. The key idea is not always ease, but the fact that it can be removed.
So, if something is not meant to stay fixed forever and can be taken away when needed, it is likely removable—a word that often suggests flexibility and practical design.
Examples
- 1
Furniture
The sofa has a removable cover, so you can wash it at home.
- 2
Electronics
Check whether the camera has a removable battery before you buy it.
- 3
Storage
These shelves are removable, which makes the cupboard easier to clean.
- 4
Packaging
The jar comes with a removable label, but it can leave a little glue behind.
- 5
Data storage
Back up your files before saving them to a removable drive.
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- removablenounadjective
Forms
- removablespluralnounadjective