Synonyms of 'able'

able

Explore 'able' in the dictionary

1 (adjective) in the sense of capable

Definition

capable or talented

They are bright, intelligent, able and confident.

Synonyms

capable

She's a very capable administrator.

experienced

a team made up of experienced professionals

fit

You're not fit to be in charge of this company.

fitted

skilled

skilled workers, such as plumbers

expert

The faces of the waxworks are modelled by expert sculptors.

powerful

a powerful and fast-acting drug

masterly

They gave a masterly performance.

effective

Antibiotics are effective against this organism.

qualified

Demand has far outstripped supply of qualified teachers.

talented

He is a talented pianist.

gifted

one of the most gifted pianists in the world

efficient

a highly efficient worker

clever

My father was very clever with his hands.

practised

a practised and experienced surgeon

accomplished

one of the most accomplished authors of our time

adequate

competent

He was a loyal and very competent civil servant.

tasty (British, informal)

skilful

his skilful use of light and shade

adept

He is an adept guitar player.

masterful

a masterful performance of boxing

strong

proficient

Many Egyptians are proficient in foreign languages.

adroit

She is a remarkably adroit politician.

highly endowed

See examples for synonyms

Opposites

weak

inadequate

incapable

incompetent

unfit

ineffective

inefficient

mediocre

inept

amateurish

no great shakes (informal)

unskilful

2 (adjective) in the sense of in a position to

Definition

having the necessary power, skill, or opportunity to do something

I'd like to be able to study in peace.

Synonyms

in a position to

capable of

allowed to

free to

up to

Additional synonyms

in the sense of accomplished

Definition

expert or proficient

one of the most accomplished authors of our time

Synonyms

skilled,

able,

professional,

expert,

masterly,

talented,

gifted,

polished,

practised,

cultivated,

tasty (British, informal),

skilful,

adept,

consummate,

proficient

in the sense of adept

Definition

proficient in something requiring skill

He is an adept guitar player.

Synonyms

skilful,

able,

skilled,

expert,

masterly,

practised,

accomplished,

versed,

tasty (British, informal),

masterful,

proficient,

adroit,

dexterous

in the sense of adroit

Definition

quick and skilful in how one behaves or thinks

She is a remarkably adroit politician.

Synonyms

skilful,

able,

skilled,

expert,

bright,

clever,

tasty (British, informal),

apt,

cunning,

ingenious,

adept,

deft,

nimble,

masterful,

proficient,

artful,

quick-witted,

dexterous,

neat

Video: pronunciation of
able

Browse alphabetically
able

abjuration
abjure
ablaze
able
able-bodied
ablutions
abnegate
All ENGLISH synonyms that begin with 'A'

Related terms of
able

able-bodied

Source

Thesaurus for able from the Collins English Thesaurus

1 2 3

New from Collins

Quick word challenge

Quiz Review

Question: 1

Score: 0 / 5

whine or wine?

Which version is correct?

This is a really nice whine. This is a really nice wine.

die or dye?

Which version is correct?

My love for you will never die. My love for you will never dye.

pail or pale?

Which version is correct?

The morning sky was a very pail blue. The morning sky was a very pale blue.

retch or wretch?

Drag the correct answer into the box.

retch

wretch

The smell made me .

sole or soul?

Drag the correct answer into the box.

sole

soul

Their aim is to provide for their families.

Your score:

Sep 01, 2021

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Scrabble score
for 'able':
6

Quick word challenge

Quiz Review

Question: 1

Score: 0 / 5

wail or whale?

Which version is correct?

The wail of bagpipes could be heard in the distance. The whale of bagpipes could be heard in the distance.

hair or hare?

Which version is correct?

Outside my window sat a huge brown hair. Outside my window sat a huge brown hare.

suite or sweet?

Drag the correct answer into the box.

suite

sweet

We moved into a new of offices.

whine or wine?

Drag the correct answer into the box.

whine

wine

The dog started to in the background.

creak or creek?

Drag the correct answer into the box.

creak

creek

The door was pulled open with a .

Your score:

Updating our Usage

There are many diverse influences on the way that English is used across the world today. We look at some of the ways in which the language is changing. Read our series of blogs to find out more. October 30, 2020 Read more

Synonyms of 'able'

able

Additional synonyms

Video: pronunciation of able

Browse alphabetically able

Related terms of able

Source

Video: pronunciation of
able

Browse alphabetically
able

Related terms of
able