adjective

arable

AR-uh-bul

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Arable (adjective) means describing land that can be ploughed and used to grow crops. Example: “Much of the valley is arable land, ideal for growing wheat.”

adjective

Describing land that can be ploughed and used to grow crops.

"Much of the valley is arable land, ideal for growing wheat."

"The farmer converted an area of pasture into arable land."

"Only a small part of the country's land is arable."

noun

Land that is suitable for growing crops, or that is currently being used to grow them.

"The estate includes several hundred acres of arable."

"They rotate crops across the arable to keep the soil healthy."

"Most of the farm's arable is given over to barley this year."

How to use arable

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishArable means land that is fit for growing crops.

When to use it

Arable is a standard term in farming and agricultural writing.

Memory tip

Arable land is for crops, while pasture is land used for grazing animals.

Trace the full origin ↓

Common pairings

arable land arable farming arable crops arable farmer

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “arable” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Much of the valley is _____ land, ideal for growing wheat.

Etymology

Arable came into English through Middle English and Middle French from Old French, going back to the Latin word arabilis, formed from aro, meaning "to plough", and the suffix -bilis, meaning "able to be done". It is related to the English word earable, which has the same meaning.

Origin: French

Antonyms

inarable

Rhymes for arable

able fable cable table viable liable stable tenable parable affable amiable notable

See all rhymes for arable →

Frequently asked questions

What does arable mean?

Arable describes land that can be ploughed and used to grow crops.

What is the opposite of arable?

The opposite of arable is inarable, meaning land that cannot be ploughed or farmed.

Where does the word arable come from?

It comes from the Latin word arabilis, built from the verb aro, meaning "to plough", and reached English through French.

What is the meaning of arable?

"arable" (adjective) means describing land that can be ploughed and used to grow crops.