biodegradable
|bi/o/de/grad/a/ble|
B2
🇺🇸
/ˌbaɪ.oʊ.dɪˈɡreɪ.də.bəl/
🇬🇧
/ˌbaɪ.əʊ.dɪˈɡreɪ.də.bəl/
capable of decomposition
Etymology
Etymology Information
'biodegradable' originates from the combination of 'bio-' meaning 'life' and 'degradable' meaning 'capable of being broken down.'
Historical Evolution
'biodegradable' was formed in the 20th century as environmental concerns grew, combining 'bio-' and 'degradable.'
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'capable of being broken down by living organisms,' and this meaning has remained consistent.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
capable of being decomposed by bacteria or other living organisms.
The packaging is made from biodegradable materials.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:35