Packable

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Designed to be conveniently reduced in size for transport or storage
2. Capable of being compacted for easy organization and transport
3. Capable of being folded or compressed to fit into a small space for carrying or storing

Etymology: "Packable" is a plain formation: the verb "pack" with the suffix "-able," which turns a verb into an adjective meaning "capable of being" the action named. So a packable item is one that can be packed, typically small or compact enough to fit into a bag or case without much trouble. The suffix "-able" came into English through Old French from Latin "-abilis," and it has been attached to native English verbs for centuries, so "packable" is simply one more member of a very productive family alongside "washable" and "portable." The verb "pack" itself is an older English word, related to the idea of pressing things tightly together. The word's real interest lies in its everyday role: it is most often used in marketing and product descriptions, where "packable" signals that a jacket, tent or raincoat folds down small enough to carry, which is why it appears so often on outdoor clothing labels.

Synonyms: compressible, foldable

Antonyms: bulky, unwieldy