capable

[key-puh-buhl]

adjective

1. having power and ability; efficient; competent.

   a capable instructor.

   Synonyms: accomplished, ingenious, skillful

capable

/ 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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of capable¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of capable¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

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.

Synonym Study

See able.

Example Sentences

"The simple answer to that is we know our pupils, we know the work that they're capable of because we see them day in and day out".

Read more on BBC

Two men accused of plotting to kill Jewish people in Manchester planned to cause "untold harm" after buying assault rifles capable of killing hundreds of people, a court has heard.

Read more on BBC

Under the new law, landlords must provide a stove capable of generating heat for cooking and a refrigerator capable of safely storing food for new leases starting Jan. 1, 2026.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"I think at times tonight we saw what we're capable of, but it's just about doing that and making sure we get results as well."

Read more on BBC

But what if they were capable of back-to-back disasters?

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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