What does motorable mean?
Motorable means capable of being moved or reached by motor vehicle. Its most characteristic use is with a road, track, route, or piece of terrain: a path may be described as motorable when an ordinary car or other motor vehicle can use it. The word can also describe a vehicle or object as able to move under its own power through a motor. In this sense, however, motorized or motor-driven is often more natural. Motorable is uncommon in contemporary English and may sound formal, technical, or old-fashioned, especially when applied to a route. It is nevertheless precise and useful when the important distinction is between a route suitable for motor vehicles and one intended only for pedestrians, cyclists, or animals. The term should not be used merely to mean that something has a motor, since that may imply only that it is powered rather than that it can conveniently travel or be moved.
adjectiveCapable of being moved or propelled by a motor; suitable for travel or transport by motor vehicle.
- Capable of being moved or propelled by a motor.
- Suitable for travel or transport by motor vehicle, especially of a road or route.
"The mountain road was not motorable until the new pass was opened."
"A narrow but motorable track led to the village."
"The vehicle was small enough to remain motorable along the steep track."
Motorable is a practical but uncommon word for saying that a route or place can be reached without relying on an animal.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does motorable come from?
Motorable was formed in the 19th century from motor and the suffix -able. The word motor comes through French from the Latin motor, meaning a mover, and ultimately from the Latin verb movere, “to move.” Related English words such as mobile, motion, and motive were formed through different routes from the same Latin root for movement or moving.
How motorable is actually used
This is a rare formal or technical adjective. It is encountered more often in descriptions of roads, routes, terrain, and transport than in everyday speech.
Easily confused with motorable
A motor is the machine that converts energy into motion, whereas motorable describes something that can be moved or reached by motor vehicle.