What does feedable mean?
"Feedable" is an adjective meaning capable of being fed, or more specifically, suitable for use as feed for animals. It is built transparently from the common verb "feed" combined with the productive suffix "-able," which turns verbs into adjectives meaning "able to be X-ed." The word appears most often in agricultural, veterinary, and industrial contexts: a farmer might judge whether damaged hay is still feedable, or a manufacturer might describe a byproduct as feedable material for livestock. A less common sense describes something as able to receive or take in food, as when weak newborn animals become feedable by bottle after treatment. Because it is rare outside specialist settings, "feedable" is usually understood on sight rather than actively used, and writers often prefer phrases like "fit for feed." Its near synonym "edible" applies strictly to human consumption, making "feedable" the natural term when the beneficiary is livestock. It is neutral in tone and current in both British and American English.
Capable of being fed, especially fit or suitable to be used as feed for animals.
"The grain spoiled in storage and was no longer feedable."
Primarily found in agricultural and technical writing.
Able or ready to receive food; receptive to being fed.
"After surgery, the foal became feedable by tube within a day."
Less common than the first sense; used mainly in veterinary contexts.
While everyone obsesses over "edible," farmers quietly rely on its barnyard cousin "feedable" — the word that decides whether a bale of hay feeds cattle or hits the compost heap.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of feedable
"Feedable" derives from the Old English verb "fēdan," meaning to nourish or give food to, itself formed from the noun "fēda" (food, nourishment), which is related to the German "Futter" through their shared Germanic root. The suffix "-able" was borrowed into English from Old French, ultimately from Latin "-abilis," and attaches freely to native English verbs to form adjectives of capability. Compounds and derivatives of "feed" such as "feeder," "feeding," and "feedstuff" developed alongside it within English, while the broader Indo-European root also gave Latin "fodere"-derived pastoral vocabulary reflected in English "fodder" via Old High German "fuotar."
Related word forms
How feedable is actually used
"Feedable" is an uncommon word, appearing mostly in agricultural, veterinary, and technical contexts rather than everyday conversation. It is formed transparently from the verb "feed" plus the suffix "-able," so it is readily understood even where rarely used. It carries no strong connotations and is neutral in register, though it may sound slightly awkward in formal prose where a phrase like "suitable as feed" could be preferred.
Easily confused with feedable
"Edible" means fit for human consumption, while "feedable" typically refers to something that can be fed to animals or can be given feed.