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

“Still the same athlete, still capable of making plays with his feet,” Texas A&M coach Mike Elko said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Yugandhar, chief of India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, wanted the Americans to know Indian authorities were capable of handling the complex probe.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

To create a boat capable of operating in real world conditions is a different challenge.

Read more on BBC

However, it is also found in many other cell types throughout the body, especially in cells that are active and capable of dividing.

Read more on Science Daily

What viewer won’t feel a shiver at the prospect of encountering such a man, or fail to wonder what tales we are capable of spinning to get through?

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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