communicable

1 of 2

adjective

com·​mu·​ni·​ca·​ble kə-ˈmyü-ni-kə-bəl How to pronounce communicable (audio)
Synonyms of communicablenext
1
: capable of being communicated : transmittable
a communicable skin rash
see also communicable disease
2
: communicative
… prove myself a gentleman, by being … virtuous and communicable …—Izaak Walton
communicability
kə-ˌmyü-ni-kə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce communicable (audio)
noun
communicableness
kə-ˈmyü-ni-kə-bəl-nəs How to pronounce communicable (audio)
noun
communicably
kə-ˈmyü-ni-kə-blē How to pronounce communicable (audio)
adverb

communicability

2 of 2

noun

com·​mu·​ni·​ca·​bil·​i·​ty kə-ˌmyü-ni-kə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce communicability (audio)
plural -es
: the quality of being readily communicated or of having a message readily understood

Synonyms of communicable

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Adjective

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Examples of communicable in a Sentence

Adjective communicable diseases that are usually transmitted sexually
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
This is the only way metrics become communicable at scale. — Big Think, 20 Feb. 2026 Measles is one of the most highly communicable infections. — Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Feb. 2026 Hanage foresees wastewater analysis being used to track other communicable viruses, like mpox. — Chris Stokel-Walker, WIRED, 4 Oct. 2024 This misconception tends to be due to the rise in influenza and other communicable respiratory infections in the colder months. — Patty Weasler, Rn, Verywell Health, 9 Oct. 2024 See All Example Sentences for communicable

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1533, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of communicable was circa 1533

Phrases Containing communicable

Rhymes for communicable

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Browse Nearby Words

communicability
communicable
communicable disease
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Communicable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/communicable. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

communicable

adjective
com·​mu·​ni·​ca·​ble kə-ˈmyü-ni-kə-bəl How to pronounce communicable (audio)
: capable of being transferred or carried from one person or thing to another
communicable diseases
communicability
-ˌmyü-ni-kə-ˈbil-ət-ē How to pronounce communicable (audio)
noun

Medical Definition

communicable

adjective
com·​mu·​ni·​ca·​ble kə-ˈmyü-ni-kə-bəl How to pronounce communicable (audio)
: capable of being transmitted from person to person, animal to animal, animal to human, or human to animal : transmissible
communicability
-ˌmyü-ni-kə-ˈbil-ət-ē How to pronounce communicable (audio)
noun
plural communicabilities

More from Merriam-Webster on communicable

Nglish: Translation of communicable for Spanish Speakers

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