Definition of 'able'

Word Frequency

able

(eɪbəl )

Word forms: comparative abler (eɪbləʳ ), superlative ablest (eɪblɪst )

See be able to

3. adjective

Someone who is able is very clever or very good at doing something.

...one of the brightest and ablest members of the government.

They are bright, intelligent, able and confident.

can1

Synonyms: capable, experienced, fit, fitted More Synonyms of able

More Synonyms of able

Word Frequency

-able

(-əbəl )

suffix

-able combines with verbs to form adjectives. Adjectives formed in this way describe someone or something that can have a particular thing done to them. For example, if something is avoidable, it can be avoided.

These injuries were avoidable.

He was an admirable chairman.

Video: pronunciation of
able

able in British English

(ˈeɪbəl )

adjective

1. (postpositive)

having the necessary power, resources, skill, time, opportunity, etc, to do something

able to swim

capable; competent; talented

an able teacher

3. law

qualified, competent, or authorized to do some specific act

Word origin

C14: ultimately from Latin habilis easy to hold, manageable, apt, from habēre to have, hold + -ilis -ile

Word Frequency

-able in British English

suffix forming adjectives

capable of, suitable for, or deserving of (being acted upon as indicated)

enjoyable

pitiable

readable

separable

washable

inclined to; given to; able to; causing

comfortable

reasonable

variable

Derived forms

-ably

suffix forming adverbs

-ability

suffix forming nouns

Word origin

via Old French from Latin -ābilis, -ībilis, forms of -bilis, adjectival suffix

Word Frequency

able in American English

(ˈeɪbəl )

adjectiveWord forms: ˈabler (ˈeɪblər ) or ˈablest (ˈeɪbləst )

having enough power, skill, etc. to do something

able to read

having much power of mind; skilled; talented

an able teacher

3. Law

legally qualified, authorized, or competent to do a specified act

SYNONYMY NOTE: able implies having power or ability to do something [able to make payments] but sometimes suggests superior power or skill [an able orator]; capable usually implies the mere meeting of ordinary requirements [a capable machinist]; competent, qualified both imply the possession of the requisite qualifications for the specified work, situation, etc., but , qualified stresses compliance with specified requirements [a competent critic of modern art, a qualified voter]

OPPOSITE: inept

Word origin

ME < OFr hable, habile < L habilis, easily handled, apt < habere, to have, hold: see habit

Word Frequency

-able in American English

(əbəl )

that can or will

perishable

capable of being ____ed

manageable

worthy of being ____ed

lovable

having qualities of

comfortable

tending or inclined to

peaceable

-ble, -ible

Word origin

ME < OFr < L -abilis

Word Frequency

able in American English

(ˈeibəl) (adjective abler, ablest)

adjective

having necessary power, skill, resources, or qualifications; qualified

able to lift a two-hundred-pound weight

able to write music

able to travel widely

able to vote

having unusual or superior intelligence, skill, etc

an able leader

showing talent, skill, or knowledge

an able speech

legally empowered, qualified, or authorized

noun

5. (usually cap)

a code word formerly used in communications to represent the letter A

Word origin

[1275–1325; ME ‹ MF ‹ L habilis handy, equiv. to hab(ēre) to have, hold + -ilis -ile]

Word Frequency

-able in American English

suffix

a suffix meaning “capable of, susceptible of, fit for, tending to, given to,” associated in meaning with the word able, occurring in loanwords from Latin ( laudable); used in English as a highly productive suffix to form adjectives by addition to stems of any origin (teachable; photographable)

Also: -ble, -ible

Word origin

[ME ‹ OF ‹ L -ābilis, equiv. to -ā- final vowel of 1st conjugation v. stems + -bilis]

Examples of 'able' in a sentence
able

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You need somebody on the panel who is able to read and judge medical documentation.And a fifth of parents are downsizing to be able to afford that price hike.Is there no one able to do the things that we all know need doing?That means you have space out wide and are able to get in more crosses.Few people are able to read their own obituaries.He should be able to go one better.Some have already been able to get out and play golf.Will spectators be able to afford multiple games at the same ground in a short space of time?It wouldn't be the first time capitalism proved able to adjust to new realities.There will be very few people in the country who will be able to afford it.