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

At stake in any investigation is whether Syria will be able to turn the page on the civil war, or whether it will teeter back into violence.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“If you’re going to give it, you have to be able to take.”

Read more on Salon

“It’s a human right. These women deserve to be able to come and go as they please.”

Read more on Literature

That those who were most able to pay their way were the least likely to be asked to was ironic, to be sure.

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Still, she was able to get a glimpse of Beowulf at his desk, chewing on some object that he quickly hid in his pocket.

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Related Words

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