Definition of 'capable'

Word Frequency

capable

(keɪpəbəl )

1. adjective

If a person or thing is capable of doing something, they have the ability to do it.

He appeared hardly capable of conducting a coherent conversation. [+ of]

The kitchen is capable of catering for several hundred people. [+ of]

I had no hesitation in calling the police because I realised he was capable of murder.

2. adjective

Someone who is capable has the skill or qualities necessary to do a particular thing well, or is able to do most things well.

She's a very capable speaker.

Sam was a highly capable manager.

Synonyms: accomplished, experienced, masterly, qualified More Synonyms of capable

capably (keɪpəbli ) adverb [ADVERB with verb]

Happily it was all dealt with very capably by the police and security people.

More Synonyms of capable

Video: pronunciation of
capable

capable in British English

(ˈkeɪpəbəl )

adjective

having ability, esp in many different fields; competent

2. (postpositive; foll by of)

able or having the skill (to do something)

she is capable of hard work

3. (postpositive; foll by of)

having the temperament or inclination (to do something)

he seemed capable of murder

Derived forms

capableness (ˈcapableness)

noun

capably (ˈcapably)

adverb

Word origin

C16: from French, from Late Latin capābilis able to take in, from Latin capere to take

Word Frequency

capable in American English

(ˈkeɪpəbəl )

adjective

having ability; able to do things well; skilled; competent

SIMILAR WORDS: ˈable

Idioms:

capable of

Derived forms

capableness (ˈcapableness)

noun

capably (ˈcapably)

adverb

Word origin

Fr < LL capabilis < L capere, to take: see have

Word Frequency

capable in American English

(ˈkeipəbəl)

adjective

having power and ability; efficient; competent

a capable instructor

2. See capable of

Derived forms

capableness

noun

capably

adverb

Word origin

[1555–65; ‹ LL capābilis roomy, appar. equiv. to cap(āx) roomy + -ābilis -able; see capacity]

Examples of 'capable' in a sentence
capable

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Nobody knows what people are capable of.The side that played is more than capable of doing well but we have no strength in depth.The run probably came too soon when he flopped last time and he looks well capable of bouncing back to form today.He rants about restaurants that serve burgers on a brioche bun, rather than something capable of absorbing the grease.The brakes are perfectly capable with a single disc on the front and ABS as standard.While you've broad shoulders, the individuals in question are perfectly capable of dealing with these.Because what you have is a car capable of 0-62 in less than five seconds but isn't exactly light.He is certainly capable of bowling better.This car seems capable of speeds that could get you to your destination before you left.Young people are often capable of much more than signing on the dole like their parents.

COBUILD Collocations
capable

potentially capable of

quite capable of

truly capable

Trends of
capable

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In other languages
capable

British English: capable /ˈkeɪpəbl/ ADJECTIVE

If you are capable of doing something, you are able to do it.

He was hardly capable of standing up.

American English: capable /ˈkeɪpəbəl/
Arabic: قَادِر
Brazilian Portuguese: capaz
Chinese: 有能力的
Croatian: sposoban
Czech: schopný
Danish: duelig
Dutch: capabel
European Spanish: capaz hazaña
Finnish: pystyvä
French: capable
German: fähig
Greek: ικανός
Italian: capace
Japanese: ･･･ができる
Korean: ...할 능력이 있는
Norwegian: dyktig
Polish: zdolny
European Portuguese: capaz
Romanian: capabil
Russian: способный
Latin American Spanish: capaz
Swedish: skicklig
Thai: ที่สามารถทำได้
Turkish: muktedir
Ukrainian: здатний
Vietnamese: có năng lực

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capable

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Definition of capable from the Collins English Dictionary

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gorilla or guerilla?

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guerilla

gorilla

It was the beginning of a war.

beat or beet?

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beet

beat

They were surrounded by fields of .

boar or bore?

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boar

bore

Wild are numerous in the valleys.

flair or flare?

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flair

flare

I have a friend who has a for languages.

root or route?

Which version is correct?

We eventually got to the root of the problem. We eventually got to the route of the problem.

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Jun 27, 2021

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