able
[ ey-buhl ]
/ ˈeɪ bəl /
adjective, a·bler, a·blest.
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.
having unusual or superior intelligence, skill, etc.: an able leader.
showing talent, skill, or knowledge: an able speech.
legally empowered, qualified, or authorized.
noun
(usually initial capital letter) a code word formerly used in communications to represent the letter A.
Nearby words
Origin of able
1275–1325; Middle English < Middle French < Latin habilis handy, equivalent to hab(ēre) to have, hold + -ilis -ile
SYNONYMS FOR able
Related forms
o·ver·a·ble, adjectiveo·ver·a·b·ly, adverbSynonym study
1. 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.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for ablest
British Dictionary definitions for ablest
able
/ (ˈeɪbəl) /
adjective
(postpositive) having the necessary power, resources, skill, time, opportunity, etc, to do somethingable to swim
capable; competent; talentedan able teacher
law qualified, competent, or authorized to do some specific act
Word Origin for able
C14: ultimately from Latin habilis easy to hold, manageable, apt, from habēre to have, hold + -ilis -ile
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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