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Synonyms

capable

American  
[key-puh-buhl] / ˈkeɪ pə bəl /

adjective

  1. having power and ability; efficient; competent.

    a capable instructor.

    Synonyms:
    accomplished, ingenious, skillful

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.

capable British  
/ 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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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.

Regardless of title, if you do a good job and you’re capable the world finds you.

From The Wall Street Journal

The animal may be capable, but unpredictable disruptions make the job much harder.

From Science Daily

Saudi Arabia will help Turkey build solar plants capable of powering more than two million homes, under a deal the two countries signed Friday that aims to deepen energy cooperation between the key regional players.

From Barron's

“As AI systems become more capable and as firms gain experience integrating them, labor-displacing effects could emerge.”

From The Wall Street Journal

"I have had a silver and bronze medal, I am desperate for a gold and I think we are capable of achieving that," he said.

From BBC