Meaning & use
inflatables
Last updated
“inflatables” is a form of “inflatable”.
Meaning
nounplural
Things made of flexible material that you fill with air to use, such as toys, boats, or mattresses.
Grammar: Always plural in this sense; the singular 'inflatable' refers to one such object.
Patterns
- a set of inflatables
- rent inflatables
- pool inflatables
The children spent the afternoon jumping on the inflatables at the fair.
We packed the inflatables for the beach: a raft and a giant flamingo.
The party rental company delivered inflatables for the kids' party.
Word forms
| singular | inflatable |
|---|
Common combinations
- pool inflatables
- She bought colorful pool inflatables for the summer.
- giant inflatables
- The festival featured giant inflatables shaped like animals.
- inflatable boat
- They crossed the lake in an inflatable boat.
- inflatable mattress
- We slept on an inflatable mattress in the tent.
Synonyms and how they differ
- air mattress
- Specifically a mattress you fill with air; narrower than 'inflatables', which covers many objects.
- raft
- A flat floating structure, often inflatable; 'inflatables' is broader and includes toys and other items.
Word family
Commonly confused: inflatables or inflated?
inflatables vs inflated
'Inflated' means already filled with air or exaggerated; 'inflatables' are the objects themselves, not their state.
Practice
Choose the correct word: At the lake, we rented _____ for the kids to play on.
Choose one answer.
'Inflatables' are the objects (toys, rafts) that you fill with air. 'Inflated' is an adjective meaning filled with air; 'inflation' is a noun for rising prices; 'inflating' is a verb form and doesn't fit after 'rented' as the object.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “inflatables”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.