capable

American  

[key-puh-buhl] / ˈkeɪ pə bəl /

adjective

1. having power and ability; efficient; competent.

   a capable instructor.

   Synonyms:

   accomplished, ingenious, skillful

---

idioms

1. capable of,

   1. having the ability or capacity for.

      a man capable of judging art.

   2. open to the influence or effect of; susceptible of.

      a situation capable of improvement.

   3. predisposed to; inclined to.

      capable of murder.

capable British  

/ ˈkeɪpəbəl /

adjective

1. having ability, esp in many different fields; competent

2. able or having the skill (to do something)

   she is capable of hard work

3. having the temperament or inclination (to do something)

   he seemed capable of murder

---

Related Words

See able.

Other Word Forms

• capableness noun
• capably adverb
• overcapable adjective
• quasi-capable adjective
• quasi-capably adverb
• supercapable adjective
• supercapableness noun
• supercapably adverb

Etymology

Origin of capable

First recorded in 1555–65; from Late Latin capābilis “intelligent, understandable,” apparently equivalent to cap(āx) “competent, fit, roomy” ( see capacity) + -ābilis able

Explanation

To be capable of something is to be able to do it, like your little brother who is perfectly capable of tying his own shoes, but likes having everyone else do it for him. When people are capable, they can handle whatever task is at hand, like a capable teacher who can explain difficult concepts and make it fun. You may also have heard that someone "isn't capable" of, say, committing a crime or hurting someone's feelings. In this case, not being capable is a compliment — it means you just won't let yourself do something to violate your own standards for behavior.

Example Sentences

Although the vehicles may be capable of driving themselves, they can’t clean their own interiors, plug in a charging cable or repair hardware.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 30, 2026

“To get through those intense moments and access further emotions, I want to have a safety net, so I feel capable of taking those risks,” says Campbell.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 30, 2026

It is now funding studies to see if it can be economically viable year-round, and if so, become a hub that would be capable of delivering resources to Europe.

From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026

The area is still capable of producing very large earthquakes and tsunamis.

From Science Daily • Apr. 29, 2026

Each of those are capable of storing thousands of holoscripts.

From "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera

Related Words

• able
• accomplished
• adept
• adequate
• competent
• efficient
• experienced
• gifted
• good
• intelligent
• proficient
• qualified
• skillful
• suited
• talented