enable

[ en-ey-buhl ]

verb (used with object)

, en·a·bled, en·a·bling.

1. to make able; give power, means, competence, or ability to: Students with vision impairments are enabled in the classroom with magnifiers and screen reader software.

   This document will enable him to pass through the enemy lines unmolested.

   Students with vision impairments are enabled in the classroom with magnifiers and screen reader software.

   Synonyms: permit, allow, qualify, empower

2. to make possible or easy:

   Aeronautics enables us to overcome great distances.

3. to encourage or support (the bad or dysfunctional behavior) of (someone): You enable drug users when you shield them from the consequences of their actions.

   The university enabled years of abuse by ignoring complaints against the coach.

   You enable drug users when you shield them from the consequences of their actions.

4. Digital Technology.
   1. to make (a device, system, or feature) active or functional; turn on:

      The automatic snapshot feature is enabled by default.

   2. to equip for an extended, peripheral, or premium use:

      to enable your laptop for wireless internet access.

enable

/ ɪnˈeɪbəl /

verb

1. to provide (someone) with adequate power, means, opportunity, or authority (to do something)
2. to make possible
3. to put (a digital electronic circuit element) into an operative condition by supplying a suitable input pulse

Derived Forms

• enˈablement, noun
• enˈabler, noun

Other Words From

• en·a·bler noun
• pre·en·a·ble verb (used with object) preenabled preenabling

Word History and Origins

Origin of enable¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; Middle English; en- ¹, able

Example Sentences

As your product evolves, you can enable different modules from the plugin marketplace.

From TechCrunch

Vaccine tourism also has the potential to exacerbate the socioeconomic and racial inequalities that have persisted during the pandemic, enabling the rich and privileged to gain access to life-saving vaccines ahead of everyone else.

From Vox

They want to enable us to perfectly save and relive our favorite memories.

From Science News For Students

It enabled them to decipher contracts, build businesses, engage in politics and influence social issues that affected their lives.

From Washington Post

Access to the internet, having an internet-enabled device and understanding how to use both have been necessary to sign up for the vaccine.

From Popular-Science

“There was great reception,” Drew jokes, adding that perhaps he and his girlfriend, a fellow workaholic, enable each other.

From The Daily Beast

Of course, beyond tasting good, these chips make great platforms—the deep ridges enable them to hold dips effectively.

From The Daily Beast

Nonviolent subjects were easier to rule and more likely to provide the revenue and manpower that would enable further conquest.

From The Daily Beast

Even if their oxygen masks had deployed, there is a microphone in the masks to enable them to send a distress call.

From The Daily Beast

And do we not yearn to do as they did: enable America to “find its ‘greatness’ again”?

From The Daily Beast

As a rule, however, even in the case of extreme varieties, a careful examination of the specimen will enable it to be identified.

From Project Gutenberg

He had, however, recovered sufficiently to enable him to act with promptitude and discretion.

From Project Gutenberg

Relieved when she entered, she was again struck with fear when Phœbe Chiffinch had come near enough to enable her to see her face.

From Project Gutenberg

The great abilities which enable a man to win and hold such a position as his fired my fancy.

From Project Gutenberg

At length he thought of “Cattle” as a figure word to enable him to remember the number.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• empower
• facilitate
• implement
• permit
• set up