What does parsable mean?
Parsable is an adjective describing something that can be parsed, meaning analyzed according to a set of rules for its structure or meaning. The term is especially common in computing and programming. A parsable file, expression, or data structure conforms to a formal syntax that a parser can read and interpret. In broader contexts, parsable language or behavior can be analyzed for grammatical patterns or underlying meaning. The word is related to the verb parse, which means to divide something into parts or determine its structure, and to the noun parser, a program or person that performs this analysis. Although parsable can be used wherever detailed interpretation is intended, it often carries a technical or formal tone and is less likely to appear in ordinary conversation than understandable or analyzable.
adjectiveCapable of being parsed or analyzed according to a defined set of grammatical or structural rules. In computing, it refers especially to data or code that can be read and interpreted by a parser.
- Able to be parsed or analyzed according to grammatical or structural rules.
- In computing, able to be read and interpreted by a parser, especially as data, code, or a formal expression.
"The system accepts only parsable JSON files."
"The language requires a parsable statement of the rules before it can be applied."
"The upload failed because the file was not parsable by the server."
A parsable format is one that a computer can read without first guessing what its symbols mean.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does parsable come from?
Parsable was formed in the 19th century from the verb parse and the suffix -able, meaning 'able to be'. Parse itself comes through French from the Latin pars, meaning 'part' or 'portion', reflecting the original sense of dividing a text or other material into parts. The modern computing sense developed as parsers became systems designed to interpret structured data and formal syntax.
Related word forms
How parsable is actually used
The word is most common in computing, where it describes data, files, expressions, or formats that can be processed according to a formal grammar or syntax. It is less common in general prose, where a phrase such as 'able to be analyzed' may sound more natural.