able

¹

[ey-buhl]

adjective

abler, ablest 

1. 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.

   Synonyms: fitted, fit
   Antonyms: incompetent

2. having unusual or superior intelligence, skill, etc..

   an able leader.

   Synonyms: ingenious, clever, skilled, talented

3. showing talent, skill, or knowledge.

   an able speech.

   Synonyms: apt

4. legally empowered, qualified, or authorized.

noun

1. Usually Able a code word formerly used in communications to represent the letter A.

-able

²

1. 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 ).

able

¹

/ ˈeɪbəl /

adjective

1. (postpositive) having the necessary power, resources, skill, time, opportunity, etc, to do something

   able to swim

2. capable; competent; talented

   an able teacher

3. law qualified, competent, or authorized to do some specific act

-able

²

suffix

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

   enjoyable

   pitiable

   readable

   separable

   washable

2. inclined to; given to; able to; causing

   comfortable

   reasonable

   variable

Other Word Forms

• overable adjective
• overably adverb
• -ably suffix
• -ability suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of able¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin habilis “handy,” equivalent to hab(ēre) “to have, hold” + -ilis adjective suffix; -ile

Origin of able²

Middle English < Old French < Latin -ābilis, equivalent to -ā- final vowel of 1st conjugation v. stems + -bilis

Word History and Origins

Origin of able¹

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

Origin of able²

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

Synonym Study

Able, capable, competent all mean possessing adequate power for doing something. Able implies power equal to effort required: able to finish in time. Capable implies power to meet or fulfill ordinary requirements: a capable worker. Competent suggests power to meet demands in a completely satisfactory manner: a competent nurse.

Example Sentences

An airline agent was able to get him on a flight back to Arkansas for free in August 2024.

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They got to chatting and realized they might be able to do business with each other.

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If this sounds like a lonely existence, Park’s team members may be able to solve their own problem.

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“And if businesses feel that they are just going to be able to buy their way into how business models are changing, it’s just not going to happen.”

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Parental wealth is another main determinant of whether someone will be able to achieve the stability now necessary to marry.

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Related Words

• adept 
• apt 
• capable 
• competent 
• proficient 
• skilled