communicable

adjective

com·​mu·​ni·​ca·​ble kə-ˈmyü-ni-kə-bəl How to pronounce communicable (audio)
Synonyms of communicablenext
1
: capable of being communicated : transmittable
a communicable skin rash
see also communicable disease
2
: communicative
… prove myself a gentleman, by being … virtuous and communicableIzaak Walton
communicability noun
communicableness noun
communicably adverb

Examples of communicable in a Sentence

communicable diseases that are usually transmitted sexually
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Additionally, diseases may be communicable (contagious) or noncommunicable; of the latter, the four major types identified by the World Health Organization are cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, and diabetes mellitus. Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026 The highly communicable virus had already become common in the colonies, and densely populated port cities like Boston, Philadelphia and New York periodically saw concentrated outbreaks, usually triggered by the arrival of infected passengers or goods like clothing. Adam Cohen, Oklahoman, 17 Mar. 2026 The most fundamental consequences of being struck by lightning are often metaphysical, and not easily communicable. Jacob Stern, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2026 This is the only way metrics become communicable at scale. Big Think, 20 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for communicable

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1533, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of communicable was circa 1533

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Cite this Entry

“Communicable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/communicable. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

communicable

adjective
com·​mu·​ni·​ca·​ble kə-ˈmyü-ni-kə-bəl How to pronounce communicable (audio)
: capable of being transferred or carried from one person or thing to another
communicable diseases
communicability noun

Medical Definition

communicable

adjective
com·​mu·​ni·​ca·​ble kə-ˈmyü-ni-kə-bəl How to pronounce communicable (audio)
: capable of being transmitted from person to person, animal to animal, animal to human, or human to animal : transmissible
communicability noun
plural communicabilities

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