What does obtainable mean?
Obtainable is an adjective meaning capable of being obtained, acquired, or gained. It is used when discussing information, documents, products, permissions, or opportunities that can be secured through an appropriate source. The phrase 'readily obtainable' commonly suggests that something is easy to find or acquire, while 'publicly obtainable' indicates that it is available to the general public. In ordinary conversation, 'available' may be more direct, but obtainable has a formal, precise tone and can be useful in notices, legal or administrative writing, and research contexts. Its meaning is broader than simply 'available': it focuses on the possibility of obtaining something rather than on whether a particular person or place currently has it. The word is especially useful when describing information or resources that are accessible through a stated or understood process.
adjectiveCapable of being obtained, acquired, or gained. It describes something that is available or possible to secure.
- Capable of being obtained, acquired, or gained; available.
"The full report is obtainable from the university library."
"A replacement part is readily obtainable from the manufacturer."
"The committee noted that the records were not publicly obtainable."
Obtainable is the word for anything that can actually be acquired—whether that is a document, a signature, or permission to proceed.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does obtainable come from?
Obtainable was formed in English by adding the suffix -able to the verb obtain. Obtain comes through Anglo-French and Old French from Latin obtinere, meaning 'to obtain' or 'to acquire.' The Latin form is related to the same broad root seen in the English family formed with obtain, including obtainment and obtainability.
Related word forms
How obtainable is actually used
The adjective is formal and commonly appears in written notices, reports, and official communications. It can sometimes sound indirect, so 'available' is often more natural in everyday speech.
Easily confused with obtainable
Obtainable means capable of being acquired, whereas obtrusive describes something that is conspicuous, intrusive, or overly noticeable.