capable
Americanadjective
idioms
adjective
-
having ability, esp in many different fields; competent
-
able or having the skill (to do something)
she is capable of hard work
-
having the temperament or inclination (to do something)
he seemed capable of murder
Related Words
See able.
Other Word Forms
- capableness noun
- capably adverb
- overcapable adjective
- quasi-capable adjective
- quasi-capably adverb
- supercapable adjective
- supercapableness noun
- supercapably adverb
Etymology
Origin of capable
First recorded in 1555–65; from Late Latin capābilis “intelligent, understandable,” apparently equivalent to cap(āx) “competent, fit, roomy” ( capacity ) + -ābilis able
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The data center will be capable of consuming 250 megawatts, roughly the same amount of energy as a small American city.
Kühne's research group is developing advanced numerical techniques designed to be both efficient and capable of accurately reproducing the chemical and physical behavior of complex materials.
From Science Daily
That America has effectively delivered a second air force into the hands of a capable ally in a strategically important region is a force multiplier for the U.S.
Iran has lately sought to acquire Chinese supersonic antiship cruise missiles capable of threatening U.S. naval forces in the Persian Gulf.
I had low expectations but, after a week of testing, I find it’s far more capable than specs suggest.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
