Commercializable

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Able to be turned into a product or service that can be sold commercially and earn money in the marketplace
2. Suitable for production and sale on a commercial basis, with a realistic prospect of generating profit
3. Fit to be marketed and exchanged for financial gain, as an idea, invention, or product might be

Etymology: "Commercializable" is a plain formation: the verb "commercialize" with the suffix "-able" attached, meaning capable of being commercialized, or able to be turned into a product sold for profit. The verb itself comes from "commercial," which traces back through French and Latin to the Latin "commercium," a word for trade or exchange, built from "com-" (together) and "merx" (merchandise). Taken apart, the word is essentially a description of something that can be made into a moneymaking enterprise. The suffix "-able" is the familiar English ending that comes from Latin "-abilis" through Old French, and it attaches readily to verbs to mean "able to be done." Because "commercialize" is a verb that frequently appears in business and technology writing, "commercializable" is typically used to describe inventions, research, or ideas that have the potential to reach the market.

Synonyms: marketable, saleable

Antonyms: unmarketable