-ble

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variant of -able (soluble); occurring first in words of Latin origin that came into English through French, later in words taken directly from Latin.

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CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of -ble

Middle English <Old French <Latin -bilem, accusative of -bilis (masculine and feminine) or <-bile (neuter) adj. suffix

Words nearby -ble

blazon, blazonry, bldg., Bldg.E., bldr., -ble, bleach, bleacher, bleacherite, bleachers, bleachery

Other definitions for -ble (2 of 2)

B.L.E.

abbreviation

Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.

How to use -ble in a sentence

This is so true that the monogram can still be seen on the column of the Halle au Ble, which was built by Catherine alone.
Catherine de' Medici|Honore de Balzac
Indeed, neighboring places, such as Mar-ble-head and Salem, even offered to let Boston merchants use their port free of charge.
The Story of the Thirteen Colonies|H. A. (Hlne Adeline) Guerber
Lucretia Borgia, with all them tur'ble recordin' notches on the handle!
Motor Matt's Daring, or, True to His Friends|Stanley R. Matthews
You may've noticed 't I'm jush trifle—er, well, some people ud shay zhrunk, Toffski—rude 'n' dish'gree'ble people dshay zhrunk.
Tin-Types Taken in the Streets of New York|Lemuel Ely Quigg

Somewheres out yonder in Texas they tell me there's yit a consid'ble stretch of unconquered Confederate territory.
Those Times And These|Irvin S. Cobb