useable

Useable is an adjective meaning capable of being used; functional or practical rather than decorative. It denotes that something can be employed for its intended purpose without excessive effort or difficulty. The word can describe objects, systems, or processes that are ready for use or easily applied in a given context.

Spelling and usage vary by region and style guide. The form usable is the more common spelling in American English and in contemporary technical writing. Useable is a recognized variant, especially in British English and older texts, though some editors prefer a single spelling for consistency. Many dictionaries list both as acceptable, with a tendency toward usable in modern usage and useable as a historical or regional variant.

In practice, both spellings appear in a range of domains, including product design, software, and everyday language. In design and usability discussions, the related noun usability and the adjective usable or useable describe how easy or effective a product is to operate. The choice between spellings rarely affects meaning; consistency within a document or publication is the primary guideline.

See also: usability, usable, usefulness, usability testing.