eatable

Eatable is an adjective meaning fit to be eaten. It is a near synonym of edible, but edible is the more common term in contemporary usage. Eatable often appears in older texts, poetic or informal registers, and can emphasize the practical feasibility of consumption rather than desirability or safety.

In everyday language, most foods are described as edible or satisfy the sense of being able to eat them. Items that are not safe to eat are described as inedible. Some things can be technically eatable yet unpalatable or risky—undercooked meat, spoiled produce, or certain toxic mushrooms. Conversely, something may be edible but unsuitable for certain people due to allergies, dietary restrictions, or contaminants. The plural eatables exists in some usages but is rare; more common alternatives for listing food items are edibles or simply foods.

Etymology and usage notes: eatable derives from the combination of eat and able. Related terms include edible, consumable, and nutritious. In practice, edible is the preferred term in most professional, legal, and safety contexts, where it often carries a sense of being safe to eat. Eatable remains a valid descriptor in casual or literary contexts, with a subtly different emphasis on the possibility of eating rather than judgment about quality or safety. In botany and gastronomy, edible is typically the standard term.