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"?

7
  • 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
    Commented May 28, 2013 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
    Commented May 28, 2013 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). Commented May 28, 2013 at 12:08
  • 10
    This question is explicitly on-topic. Question is not about computer programming but about synonym for a word in English. Commented Sep 17, 2014 at 11:24
  • 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
    Commented Jun 5, 2015 at 23:28

2 Answers 2

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.

1
  • Doing a quick google search for hideable and hidable, it looks hideable is more popular! Also according to wictionary, they are alternative: en.wiktionary.org/wiki/hideable Commented Mar 3, 2016 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.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.