able

¹ American  

[ey-buhl] / ˈeɪ bəl /

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.

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noun

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

-able ² American  

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 ).

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able ¹ British  

/ 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

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-able ² British  

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

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Related Words

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.

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

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

Example Sentences

He was able to keep his L.A. job as an editor for the Discovery Channel, which brings in about $180,000 a year.

From The Wall Street Journal

Despite their poor run, I still see the Seagulls as being able to cause anyone problems.

From BBC

He will be able to accomplish some of his policy goals on his own and without significant expense, government experts said.

From BBC

"Through the founder and the CosRX team, we were able to learn their approach to formula innovation and how to respond more quickly to consumer needs," Mr Kim from Amorepacific said.

From BBC

Officials also confirmed there was more than one exit from the building, but added they were "not currently able to say" whether the emergency exit was open or closed at the time.

From BBC

Related Words

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