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

“Nothing’s been built for a long time. We were able to present an opportunity to them to upgrade their stores and build new housing.”

From The Wall Street Journal

As well as teaching her baby to communicate with simple hand gestures, she'd be able to meet other mothers in her area.

From BBC

It was Arbeloa's 43rd birthday and he was eventually able to celebrate with a victory, although his team lacked energy and spark in the first half.

From Barron's

"After being given a 50/50 chance of surviving, I came out of the induced coma eight days later not able to walk or talk," he said.

From Barron's

In a statement, it said the model "is not exclusive to large chains and many independent operators are equally able to create virtual brands on delivery platforms".

From BBC

Related Words

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