durable

Where does the word "durable" come from? It comes from Latin durus, passing through Latin before entering English (1300s).

Durable’s story begins in Latin: durus meant “hard.” Hard, giving rise to durare (to last). Within Latin, it grew into durabilis by ancient. Able to last, from durare. It reached English by 1300s as durable. Settled as the English word for something able to withstand wear and last a long time. Today, durable means able to withstand wear and damage, lasting a long time.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient durus "hard", hard, giving rise to durare (to last).
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient durabilis "able to last", able to last, from durare.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s durable "able to withstand wear and last a long time", settled as the English word for something able to withstand wear and last a long time.