adjective
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even-tempered; placid
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unvarying; uniform
an equable climate
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of equable
1635–45; < Latin aequābilis that can be made equal, similar, equivalent to aequ ( us ) equal, even + -ābilis -able
Explanation
The adjective equable means "not easily irritated" or "steady," like someone's equable manner that makes everyone instantly feel comfortable. To correctly pronounce equable, accent the first syllable: "EK-wah-bul." It comes from the Latin word aequabilis, meaning "equal, consistent, uniform." An equable person isn't moody. You wouldn't expect him or her to fly into a rage one minute and be humming a happy tune the next. Instead, someone who is equable takes things in stride — the good, the bad, and the ugly, with a smile and the occasional reminder that "this too shall pass."
Vocabulary lists containing equable
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Society and Solitude
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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 young world of aviation came away thinking that L.A. — with its basin of wide, flat places and equable weather — was indeed the place for aviation’s future.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 10, 2023
Michael Gove has described his sacking last week by Boris Johnson, calling the PM “very equable, very polite” during the call.
From BBC ● Jul. 12, 2022
It’s here, in the narration, that the novel finds itself — in the equable plainness of its language, a plainness that is nevertheless impressionistic and light-filled.
From New York Times ● Mar. 16, 2020
They looked on with expressions of equable semi-curiosity.
From The New Yorker ● Dec. 9, 2019
“No, I just help out in the evenings,” Malcolm said in his most equable tone.
From "The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage" by Philip Pullman
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.
