measurable

1 of 2

adjective

mea·​sur·​able ˈme-zhə-rə-bəl 

ˈmā-;

ˈmezh-rə-,

ˈmāzh-

1

: capable of being measured : able to be described in specific terms (as of size, amount, duration, or mass) usually expressed as a quantity

Science is the study of facts—things that are measurable, testable, repeatable, verifiable.

—David Gerrold

specifically : large or small enough to be measured

Nutmeg has a bitter taste, so cats are unlikely to consume any measurable amount.

—Elaine Wexler-Mitchell

A Becquerel is the smallest measurable unit of radioactivity.

—Neco Cockburn

Its scope was no longer a measurable form. It was beyond wealth, beyond power.

—Ernie Colon and A. J. Gamble

2

: great enough to be noticeable or worth considering : significant

Another terrible opinion poll confirming all the other terrible polls seemed to add no measurable sense of panic to the Labor mood.

—Geoff Kitney

"… He possesses no measurable talent, his arrogance rivals even that of his father, and he seems to relish in his fame …"

—Steve Kloves

measurability

ˌme-zhə-rə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

ˌmā-;

ˌmezh-rə-

ˌmāzh-

noun

measurably

ˈme-zhə-rə-blē 

ˈmā-;

ˈmezh-rə-

ˈmāzh-

adverb

measurable

2 of 2

noun

plural measurables

: something that may be measured

especially : a measurable physical attribute (such as height or weight) or ability (such as speed or jumping height) of an athlete

—often used in plural

The measurables are pouring in from the NFL scouting combine, where the inspection of the young and the strong goes way beyond the old turn-your-head-and-cough physical.

—Steve Hummer

His measurables were almost off the charts at the NBA draft combine in Chicago: 7-foot-1, with a 36½-inch running vertical jump, the highest for a 7-footer in combine history.

—Jeff McDonald

Examples of measurable in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Great New Year’s resolutions should be measurable and accomplishable. —Brandon Busteed, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024

Those numbers are good enough to outpace any other demographic of measurable fan growth. —Alan Chazaro, NPR, 21 Dec. 2024

Noun

Strategic moves like investing in Uber before its IPO or creating luxury brands like Armand de Brignac demonstrate his ability to align with opportunities that deliver measurable, long-term success. —Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 30 Nov. 2024

Anxiety and depression have become increasingly common diagnoses — and that’s measurable only at the schools where there’s adequate access to mental health services. —Baltimore Sun Editorial Board, Baltimore Sun, 18 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English mesurable "that can be measured, middling, discreet, moderate," borrowed from Anglo-French, "that can be measured, finite, moderate, restrained," borrowed from Late Latin mensūrābilis "that can be measured" (Medieval Latin, "moderate, reasonable"), from mensūrāre "to measure entry 2" + Latin -bilis "capable (of acting), worthy (of being acted upon)" — more at -able

First Known Use

Adjective

1565, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1628, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

measurable

adjective

mea·​sur·​able

ˈmezh-(ə-)rə-bəl,

ˈmāzh-

: capable of being measured

measurably

-blē

adverb

Medical Definition

measurable

adjective

mea·​sur·​able ˈmezh-(ə-)rə-bəl, ˈmāzh- 

: capable of being measured

such measurable factors as the amount of nitrogen in air

specifically : large or small enough to be measured

found in measurable amounts

measurable radiation

measurably adverb