nondurable
Not built lasting
Nondurable describes goods not meant to last long—typically consumed or worn out within three years.
Economists track nondurable goods like food, clothing, and toiletries separately from durable goods like appliances and vehicles.
Consumer spending on nondurables rose slightly.
The term appears almost exclusively in economic contexts.
Prone to decay
- spoilableSubject to decay
- biodegradableAble to decompose naturally
- decomposableCapable of breaking apart
- putrescibleCapable of rotting
degradable · expiring · decaying · deteriorating · corruptible · oxidizable · fragile · breakable
Limited in duration
- short-livedLasting only briefly
- transientTemporary, soon departing
- fleetingPassing very quickly
- impermanentNot meant to last
momentary · brief · passing · transitory · evanescent · fugacious · volatile · unstable
perishable
Prone to decay
- spoilableSubject to decay
- biodegradableAble to decompose naturally
- decomposableCapable of breaking apart
putrescible · degradable · expiring · decaying · deteriorating · corruptible · oxidizable · fragile · breakable · disposable
temporary
Limited in duration
- short-livedLasting only briefly
- transientTemporary, soon departing
- fleetingPassing very quickly
impermanent · momentary · brief · passing · transitory · evanescent · fugacious · volatile · unstable · ephemeral
nondurabledurable
Able to withstand use
lasting · permanent · enduring · long-lasting · sturdy
nondurabledurable goods
Products built to last
hard goods · capital goods · durable · fixed assets · appliances
during, endure, enduring, durable, duration, endurance, durability, obdurate, endurable