affordable
UK: əˈfɔːdəbl | US: əˈfɔːrdəbl
adj. 1. (of an item or service) reasonably priced; within financial reach.
adj. 2. (of costs or efforts) manageable without excessive strain.
affordable = afford<provide, bear the cost of> + able<capable of>
- afford: From Middle English aforthien, meaning "to manage, bear the cost," derived from Old English geforthian (to further, accomplish). The prefix a- (intensive) + forth (forward) implies capacity to carry forward financially.
- able: From Latin -abilis (capable of), via Old French -able, indicating potential or suitability.
Etymology Origin:
The word affordable emerged in the 16th century, combining afford (rooted in Old English’s practical notion of "bearing costs") with -able, a suffix denoting capability. It reflects societal shifts toward quantifying accessibility, originally tied to feudal obligations (e.g., affording taxes) and later commercialized to describe consumer goods. The logic hinges on afford’s evolution from "accomplish" to "financial capacity" + -able’s grammaticalization into a productivity suffix.
The new housing project aims to provide affordable homes for low-income families.
Solar panels are becoming more affordable due to technological advancements.
Healthcare should be affordable to all citizens.
The restaurant offers affordable lunch specials during weekdays.
Online courses make education affordable and accessible globally.