What does sufferable mean?
Sufferable is an adjective meaning able to be endured or tolerated, especially when the experience involves pain, discomfort, hardship, or inconvenience. It occupies the middle ground between comfortable and unbearable: something sufferable can be put up with, although it is not pleasant. The word is especially useful when describing physical discomfort, but it can also apply to unpleasant conditions more generally. In formal and descriptive writing, “sufferable” often carries the implication that a limit has been reached or nearly reached. For example, a temperature may be unpleasant but still sufferable, while severe pain may not be. The related adverb “sufferably” is comparatively uncommon. Although “tolerable” is close in meaning, “sufferable” places particular emphasis on endurance and on the experience of suffering the condition.
adjectiveAble to be endured or tolerated; tolerable.
- Able to be endured or tolerated; tolerable.
"The discomfort was mild and easily sufferable."
"After a short rest, the heat became bearable, and the hikers continued onward."
"The treatment caused pain, but the discomfort was severe rather than merely sufferable."
Sufferable is the linguistic opposite of unbearable: it marks a limit that pain may cross, but only just.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sufferable come from?
“Sufferable” was formed in the 16th century from the English verb “suffer” and the suffix “-able,” a development meaning able to be suffered. The verb “suffer” ultimately comes through Old French from Latin “sufferre,” a combination of “sub-” and “ferre,” both meaning “under” and “bear.” The Latin root also underlies English words such as “suffering,” “sufferer,” and “transfer,” though the latter developed through a different semantic path. The formation “-able” follows a productive English pattern for creating adjectives from verbs.
Related word forms
How sufferable is actually used
Sufferable is more common in formal or descriptive writing than in everyday conversation. It often describes discomfort, pain, hardship, or conditions that a person can endure, usually with the implication that the experience is unpleasant.
Easily confused with sufferable
Both describe something that can be endured, but tolerable often emphasizes being within acceptable limits, whereas sufferable focuses more directly on a person's ability to suffer or withstand it.