teachable

Everyday

1. (of a person or animal) Able and willing to learn: a teachable puppy. tree →
2. (of a subject or skill) Able to be taught: Kindness is teachable. tree →
3. «A teachable moment»: a chance in real life to learn something useful. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life and school, a teachable child listens and tries. Teachers talk of «teachable moments» — when something happens (like a spider in class) that becomes a lesson. In science, some animals are more teachable than others.

Examples

• Puppies are very teachable when they are young. tree →
• Is creativity teachable? tree →
• The broken window became a teachable moment about safety. tree →
• He is curious and teachable. tree →
• Good manners are teachable at any age. tree →
• Parrots are surprisingly teachable. tree →

Note

Built from teach + -able. Opposite: unteachable. Close words: trainable, willing to learn.