able

1 of 2

adjective

ˈā-bəl

: having sufficient power, skill, or resources to do something

able to solve a problem

: having the freedom or opportunity to do something

hopes to be able to visit soon

: having a quality or nature that makes something possible

a car able to hold five people

: susceptible to some action or treatment

a shoe able to be repaired

abler ˈā-b(ə-)lər How to pronounce able (audio)

;ablest ˈā-b(ə-)ləst How to pronounce able (audio)

: marked by intelligence, knowledge, skill, or competence

an able administrator

-able

2 of 2

adjective suffix

variants or less commonly -ible

: capable of, fit for, or worthy of (being so acted upon or toward)

—chiefly in adjectives derived from verbs

breakablecollectible

: tending, given, or liable to

agreeable

perishable

-ably adverb suffix

or less commonly -ibly

Example Sentences

Adjective He will buy a new car as soon as he is able. He turned out to be an able editor. She is one of the ablest lawyers in the firm.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Members of the public will still be able to make comments by telephone when in-person meetings resume.

Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2022 Though Pugh eventually got her check back that day and was able to open an account with a nearby competitor, the damage was already done.

Essence, 10 Sep. 2022 The plane's nose was damaged but the pilots were able to depart on their own and were taken to a hospital for observation, Naval Base Coronado spokesperson Kevin Dixon said.

CBS News, 10 Sep. 2022 Ryan will be able to give Pryor some help, but ultimately, the veteran has to hold up on the left side for this passing game to reach its ceiling.

The Indianapolis Star, 10 Sep. 2022 SpaceX regularly lands rockets on drone ships in the ocean; its talented engineers ought to be able to make satellites fainter.

Sydney Odman, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Sep. 2022 That background made Mather wonder if McCarthy was going to be able to make such quick, astute adjustments so early in his major league career.

Nick Piecoro, The Arizona Republic, 9 Sep. 2022 Of course, his career was just getting stated — and after four months of recuperation, the actor was able to make his way back in front of a camera, and eventually to fame on The Walking Dead.

Dalton Ross, EW.com, 7 Sep. 2022 Wesneski’s friends and family members were situated near home plate for the series opener, though his parents weren’t able to make it because his mother is ill.

Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2022 See More

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English able, abill, borrowed from Anglo-French, going back to Latin habilis "easily handled or adjusted, adaptable," from habēre "to have, hold" + -ilis, alteration (by haplology before labial consonants) of -ibilis -ible — more at give entry 1

Adjective suffix

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French and Middle French, going back to Latin -ābilis, -ibilis, from -ā-, -i- (thematic vowels of various conjugations of verbs) + -bilis "capable (of acting) or worthy of (being acted upon)," going back to pre-Latin *-dhl-is, adjective suffix formed from the instrumental noun suffix *-dhl-om (whence Latin -bulum)

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

able 1 of 2

adjective

ˈā-bəl

abler

-blər

; ablest

-bləst

: having enough power, resources, or skill to do something

Are you able to swim?

: having the freedom or opportunity to do something

I'll come when I'm able.

: having or showing much skill

an able dancer

-able

2 of 2

adjective suffix

variants also -ible

ə-bəl

: capable of, fit for, or worthy of being

lovable

flexible

: tending or likely to

changeable

单词	able
释义	able 1 of 2 adjective ˈā-bəl 1 a : having sufficient power, skill, or resources to do something able to solve a problem b : having the freedom or opportunity to do something hopes to be able to visit soon c : having a quality or nature that makes something possible a car able to hold five people : susceptible to some action or treatment a shoe able to be repaired 2 abler ˈā-b(ə-)lər ;ablest ˈā-b(ə-)ləst : marked by intelligence, knowledge, skill, or competence an able administrator -able 2 of 2 adjective suffix variants or less commonly -ible 1 : capable of, fit for, or worthy of (being so acted upon or toward) —chiefly in adjectives derived from verbs breakablecollectible 2 : tending, given, or liable to agreeable perishable -ably adverb suffix or less commonly -ibly Synonyms Adjective capable competent equal fit good qualified suitable See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Adjective He will buy a new car as soon as he is able. He turned out to be an able editor. She is one of the ablest lawyers in the firm. Recent Examples on the Web Adjective Members of the public will still be able to make comments by telephone when in-person meetings resume. Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2022 Though Pugh eventually got her check back that day and was able to open an account with a nearby competitor, the damage was already done. Essence, 10 Sep. 2022 The plane's nose was damaged but the pilots were able to depart on their own and were taken to a hospital for observation, Naval Base Coronado spokesperson Kevin Dixon said. CBS News, 10 Sep. 2022 Ryan will be able to give Pryor some help, but ultimately, the veteran has to hold up on the left side for this passing game to reach its ceiling. The Indianapolis Star, 10 Sep. 2022 SpaceX regularly lands rockets on drone ships in the ocean; its talented engineers ought to be able to make satellites fainter. Sydney Odman, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Sep. 2022 That background made Mather wonder if McCarthy was going to be able to make such quick, astute adjustments so early in his major league career. Nick Piecoro, The Arizona Republic, 9 Sep. 2022 Of course, his career was just getting stated — and after four months of recuperation, the actor was able to make his way back in front of a camera, and eventually to fame on The Walking Dead. Dalton Ross, EW.com, 7 Sep. 2022 Wesneski’s friends and family members were situated near home plate for the series opener, though his parents weren’t able to make it because his mother is ill. Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2022 See More Word History Etymology Adjective Middle English able, abill, borrowed from Anglo-French, going back to Latin habilis "easily handled or adjusted, adaptable," from habēre "to have, hold" + -ilis, alteration (by haplology before labial consonants) of -ibilis -ible — more at give entry 1 Adjective suffix Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French and Middle French, going back to Latin -ābilis, -ibilis, from -ā-, -i- (thematic vowels of various conjugations of verbs) + -bilis "capable (of acting) or worthy of (being acted upon)," going back to pre-Latin -dhl-is, adjective suffix formed from the instrumental noun suffix -dhl-om (whence Latin -bulum) First Known Use Adjective 14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a Phrases Containing able able-bodied able seaman able-bodied seaman able-bodied able seaman able-bodied seaman Kids Definition able 1 of 2 adjective ˈā-bəl abler -blər ; ablest -bləst 1 : having enough power, resources, or skill to do something Are you able to swim? 2 : having the freedom or opportunity to do something I'll come when I'm able. 3 : having or showing much skill an able dancer -able 2 of 2 adjective suffix variants also -ible ə-bəl 1 : capable of, fit for, or worthy of being lovable flexible 2 : tending or likely to changeable Choose the Right Synonym for able Adjective able and capable mean having the power to do or accomplish. able may be used for someone who has exceptional skill and has done well in the past. She is an able surgeon with years of experience. capable is usually used to describe someone who has the characteristics suitable for a particular kind of work. The recruits soon proved to be capable soldiers. Legal Definition able adjective 1 : possessed of needed powers or of needed resources to accomplish an objective able to perform under the contract 2 : having freedom from restriction or obligation or from conditions preventing an action able to vote 3 : legally qualified : possessed of legal competence able to inherit property able adjective as in qualified having the required skills for an acceptable level of performance looking for an able and reliable assistant Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance qualified suitable capable competent good fit prepared ready experienced expert equal willing skilled adept accomplished proficient practiced master trained skillful seasoned on the ball masterly veteran ace apt masterful schooled practised versatile overqualified protean all-round all-around Antonyms & Near Antonyms unfit poor incompetent unqualified unfitted inept inexperienced unprepared unskilled beginning new untrained inexpert green unseasoned raw untried unskillful unschooled untested See More
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able

adjective

adjective suffix

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Phrases Containing able

Kids Definition

adjective

adjective suffix

Choose the Right Synonym for able

Legal Definition

adjective

adjective