adjective
perishable
PE-rish-uh-bl
Perishable (adjective) means Likely to go bad or rot quickly unless kept cool or used soon, said especially of food. Example: “Perishable items such as milk and fish go straight into the chiller.”
adjective
1
Likely to go bad or rot quickly unless kept cool or used soon, said especially of food.
"Perishable items such as milk and fish go straight into the chiller."
"Ship the perishable goods overnight."
noun
1
A food or product that spoils quickly; usually used in the plural.
"Unload the perishables first."
How to use perishable
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFood that goes off fast.
When to use it
Everyday and commercial. Very common in shipping, food safety and grocery contexts.
Memory tip
Food banks ask for non-perishable donations, meaning tins and dried goods that keep for months without refrigeration.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
Common pairings
perishable goods
perishable food
highly perishable
non-perishable items
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_____ items such as milk and fish go straight into the chiller.
Etymology
From perish, from Old French perir, from Latin perire meaning 'to pass away, be destroyed', plus the suffix -able.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for perishable
See all rhymes for perishable →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between perishable and non-perishable food?
Perishable food spoils within days unless refrigerated or frozen, such as meat, dairy, fish and fresh produce. Non-perishable food is shelf-stable for months or years at room temperature, such as tinned goods, pasta, rice and dried beans.
What counts as semi-perishable?
Semi-perishable foods keep for a few weeks or months if stored properly but will eventually spoil, such as potatoes, onions, flour, nuts and some hard cheeses. They sit between fresh produce and fully shelf-stable goods.
Why do perishable goods cost more to ship?
They need temperature-controlled transport, faster routing and tighter handling windows, and carriers absorb more risk because a delay can destroy the entire load. That cold chain is expensive to run and to insure.
What is the meaning of perishable?
"perishable" (adjective) means likely to go bad or rot quickly unless kept cool or used soon, said especially of food.
