Etymologically
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affordable

Etymology and origin of the English word affordable

History Permalink
Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
1647

Pronunciation

  • IPA: /əˈfɔː(ɹ).də.bəl/ (UK); /əˈfɔɹ.də.bəl/ (US)[1]

Etymology

It is formed from afford and -able.[2][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

That can be spared: 1804 in Etymonline, 1866 in the OED;[2][4] MWU has 1647.[3]

Semantic evolution

That can be paid for, reasonably priced, is from 1853.[2] Affordability is from 1910 and affordably from 1969.[2] Affordable housing is a modern phrase.[5]

Timeline

  • 1647 – first known use (MWU).[3]
  • 1804 – that can be spared.[2]
  • 1853 – reasonably priced.[2]
  • 1910 – affordability.[2]

Modern meaning

Adjective

  1. Cheap enough for ordinary people to buy; inexpensive.

Word family

  • affordability
  • affordably

References

  1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  3. ^ a b c Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  4. ^ Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
  5. ^ Collins English Dictionary (2023), Glasgow: HarperCollins
Cite this entry

“Affordable.” Etymologically, 16 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/en/affordable. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·