potable

drinkable, potable

adjective poh-TAB-luh Rare

Also means

passable, tolerable (informal)

Usage Note

potable in its literal sense means safe to drink — eau potable is the standard phrase on French taps and water systems. Colloquially, French speakers also use it to mean 'just about acceptable' or 'not bad': C'est potable can mean 'It'll do.' This informal sense has no English equivalent in 'potable.'

Examples

"L'eau du robinet est potable ici."

Natural Translation

The tap water is drinkable here.

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