collectible, collectable

The word collectible may be used in two ways:

• as a noun (meaning “an item collectors want”)
• as an adjective (meaning “worth collecting” or “able to be collected”)

Canadian spelling

The preferred Canadian spelling for both the noun and the adjective ends in -ible (i b l e):

• Peggy’s favourite collectible is wooden matchboxes.
• Collectible china can be quite costly.
• Because the firm filed for bankruptcy, the debt was not collectible.

British spelling

The preferred British spelling uses the suffix -able (a b l e) for both the noun and the adjective:

• You can find interesting collectables in this London shop.
• The collectable toys on display will include vintage London double-decker buses.
• The money owing to me was easily collectable.