biodegradable
Describes a substance or object that is capable of being decomposed by bacteria or other living organisms, thereby avoiding environmental pollution. In advanced contexts, it specifically refers to materials that can return to nature safely within a reasonably short period.
Examples
3 of 5We started using biodegradable trash bags to reduce our household environmental footprint.
We started using biodegradable trash bags to reduce our household environmental footprint.
The municipality has mandated that all single-use catering supplies must be biodegradable.
The municipality has mandated that all single-use catering supplies must be biodegradable.
I think these coffee cups are biodegradable, so you can just toss them in the compost bin.
I think these coffee cups are biodegradable, so you can just toss them in the compost bin.
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Break it into parts: 'Bio' (living things like bacteria) + 'degrade' (break down) + 'able' (can be). Living things can break it down.
Quick Quiz
The company switched to ____ packaging to minimize its long-term impact on the local ecosystem.
Correct!
The correct answer is: biodegradable
Examples
We started using biodegradable trash bags to reduce our household environmental footprint.
everydayWe started using biodegradable trash bags to reduce our household environmental footprint.
The municipality has mandated that all single-use catering supplies must be biodegradable.
formalThe municipality has mandated that all single-use catering supplies must be biodegradable.
I think these coffee cups are biodegradable, so you can just toss them in the compost bin.
informalI think these coffee cups are biodegradable, so you can just toss them in the compost bin.
The study investigates the metabolic pathways through which microorganisms break down biodegradable polymers in anaerobic conditions.
academicThe study investigates the metabolic pathways through which microorganisms break down biodegradable polymers in anaerobic conditions.
Investing in biodegradable packaging has significantly enhanced our corporate social responsibility profile.
businessInvesting in biodegradable packaging has significantly enhanced our corporate social responsibility profile.
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
100% biodegradable
100% biodegradable
biodegradable and compostable
biodegradable and compostable
certified biodegradable
certified biodegradable
Often Confused With
While all compostable materials are biodegradable, not all biodegradable materials are compostable; the latter must break down into nutrient-rich soil in specific settings.
Recyclable materials are processed by humans to be reused, whereas biodegradable materials decompose naturally via biological agents.
Usage Notes
The term is widely used in environmental science and marketing to signal that a product will not persist in the environment. It is typically used as an attributive adjective before a noun.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use 'degradable' interchangeably with 'biodegradable', but 'degradable' can refer to chemical or physical breakdown (like by sunlight), whereas 'biodegradable' requires living organisms.
Memory Tip
Break it into parts: 'Bio' (living things like bacteria) + 'degrade' (break down) + 'able' (can be). Living things can break it down.
Word Origin
Derived from the Greek 'bios' (life) combined with the English 'degradable' (from Latin de- 'down' + gradus 'step'), first appearing in the mid-20th century.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In contemporary Western society, the 'biodegradable' label is a powerful tool for 'green marketing' driven by consumer concern over plastic pollution.
Quick Quiz
The company switched to ____ packaging to minimize its long-term impact on the local ecosystem.
Correct!
The correct answer is: biodegradable
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
to
A1Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.
and
A1A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.
a
A1A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.
that
A1This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.
I
A1The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.
for
A1Used to show who is intended to have or use something, or to explain the purpose or reason for an action. It is also frequently used to indicate a specific duration of time.
not
A1A function word used to express negation or denial. It is primarily used to make a sentence or phrase negative, often following an auxiliary verb or the verb 'to be'.
with
A1A preposition used to indicate that people or things are together, in the same place, or performing an action together. It can also describe the instrument used to perform an action or a characteristic that someone or something has.
he
A1A pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified. It functions as the subject of a sentence.
you
A1Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.
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