14

I'm trying to describe the scenario whereby something can be "hidden". I can use "hideable" however I wonder if there's a more eloquent term than "hideable"?

James
  • 148
Andres Riofrio
  • 385
  • This seems to be a question of computing terminology rather than a language question, since the hideable objects in question are apparently programming objects to be displayed or not displayed on screen. – TrevorD May 28 '13 at 10:52
  • Class-naming is explicitly off-topic. As a general rule, something which is descriptive is good: what is wrong with hideable? – Andrew Leach May 28 '13 at 11:13
  • 1
    I haven't been here in a while, so I forgot about the class-naming rule. Regarding your question, the word hideable seems esoteric (maybe it isn't), and for that reason I thought it might be a poorer choice than other, more vivid words (if they exist). – Andres Riofrio May 28 '13 at 12:08
  • 10
    This question is explicitly on-topic. Question is not about computer programming but about synonym for a word in English. – Petr Gladkikh Sep 17 '14 at 11:24
  • @PetrGladkikh, I agree that this question should be reopened. The fact that this word may end up being used as a class name is completely irrelevant. – Celos Apr 27 '15 at 12:12
  • 4
    Why are StackExchange moderators so quick to close questions? That is the single thing I hate the most about this network. Just let people be already! Err on the side of assuming the best of people. Please... – Tyler Rick Jun 05 '15 at 23:28
  • If he didn't mention why he needs this word, probably it was some good answers here! – Afshin Moazami Mar 03 '16 at 21:50

2 Answers2

13

I have recently had this very same dilemma. In the end I went with 'hidable'. It is extremely clear what is meant, and so is better than using a word like removable or the ugly toHide. It doesn't appear in every dictionary but according to Merriam Webster it is a word; though without the 'e'. That's good enough for me.

HellishHeat
  • 559
  • Doing a quick google search for hideable and hidable, it looks hideable is more popular! Also according to wictionary, they are alternative: https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/hideable – Afshin Moazami Mar 03 '16 at 21:51
1

There is also concealable. Free dictionary has an entry for it as an adjective formed from the verb to conceal (synonym of hide). YourDictionary defines it as

Able to be concealed.

Ngram gives it preference over hidable and hideable.

fev
  • 33,009