# potable

/ˈpoʊtəbəɫ/ (US) · /pˈəʊtəbəl/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/potable
Updated: 2026-05-20

## Definition

safe to drink. You use this to describe water or liquid that is clean and does not make you sick.

For teachers: fit for or intended to be drunk; safe for human consumption. Often used in technical or formal contexts regarding water quality.

## Examples

- The local government provides potable water to every household.
- After the heavy rain, the residents were warned not to drink the water until it was confirmed to be potable.
- The expedition relied on melting snow to ensure a steady supply of potable water, as the river was contaminated by industrial runoff from the valley below.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.