Master confusing words with ease
Collectable vs. Collectible
Collectable
Examples:
Rare antiques in the attic are quite the collectable find.Vinyl records from the 60s are highly sought-after collectables.Each limited edition toy quickly becomes a collectable item.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Collectible
/kəˈlektəbəl/Examples:
Her attic was full of rare and valuable collectibles.The comic book he found turned out to be a prized collectible.She started a collection of vintage dolls as collectibles.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Ways to tell them apart:
- Collectable typically refers to items that are worth collecting. Think of items like rare coins, stamps, or art that hold value.
- Collectible often refers to items that may be collected but are not necessarily valuable or rare, such as toys, cards, or memorabilia.
- Over time, both words have become increasingly interchangeable, but collectible is the more commonly used form in American English.
- Although both terms can sometimes be used in similar contexts, remember that collectable can evolve into being sought after, whereas collectible suggests progressive value or interest.
- A mnemonic for collectible is to think of collection to remember it implies a systematic gathering.
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