Votable

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. A proposition or matter that can be approved through voting is considered eligible for selection
2. Capable of being chosen or decided upon by a vote
3. Subject to approval or rejection through a voting process

Etymology: "Votable" is about as transparent as English formations get: it is simply "vote" with the suffix "-able" attached, the same ending found in words like "readable" or "washable." The suffix comes from Latin "-abilis," which denoted capacity or fitness, so the word means something like "capable of being voted on." Its sense of "subject to approval" follows naturally from that, since a votable matter is one that can be put to a ballot. Because the pieces are so familiar, the word is largely a product of the political vocabulary that grew up around voting, and it sits comfortably beside other "-able" coinages built on verbs of decision. Its origin offers no surprises, but it does show how easily English attaches this suffix to a verb whenever a new kind of action needs an adjective.

Synonyms: electable, referendable

Antonyms: nonvotable