Dictionary.com

able

[ ey-buhl ]
/ ˈeɪ bəl /
Save This Word!
See synonyms for: able / ablest on Thesaurus.com
adjective, a·bler, a·blest.
having necessary power, skill, resources, or qualifications; qualified: able to lift a two-hundred-pound weight; able to write music; able to travel widely; able to vote.
having unusual or superior intelligence, skill, etc.: an able leader.
showing talent, skill, or knowledge: an able speech.
legally empowered, qualified, or authorized.
noun
Usually Able . a code word formerly used in communications to represent the letter A.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
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.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of able

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin habilis “handy,” equivalent to hab(ēre) “to have, hold” + -ilis adjective suffix; see -ile

synonym study for able

1. Able, capable, competent all mean possessing adequate power for doing something. Able implies power equal to effort required: able to finish in time. Capable implies power to meet or fulfill ordinary requirements: a capable worker. Competent suggests power to meet demands in a completely satisfactory manner: a competent nurse.

OTHER WORDS FROM able

o·ver·a·ble, adjectiveo·ver·a·b·ly, adverb

Words nearby able

ablative, ablative absolute, ablator, ablaut, ablaze, able, able-bodied, able-bodied seaman, abled, ableism, ableist

Other definitions for able (2 of 2)

-able
a suffix meaning “capable of, susceptible of, fit for, tending to, given to,” associated in meaning with the word able, occurring in loanwords from Latin (laudable); used in English as a highly productive suffix to form adjectives by addition to stems of any origin (teachable; photographable).
Also -ble, -ible.

Origin of -able

Middle English <Old French <Latin -ābilis, equivalent to -ā- final vowel of 1st conjugation v. stems + -bilis
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to able

adept, adequate, apt, capable, competent, easy, good, intelligent, ready, smart, strong, effective, efficient, keen, prepared, responsible, skilled, adroit, agile, alert

How to use able in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for able (1 of 2)

able
/ (ˈeɪbəl) /
adjective
(postpositive) having the necessary power, resources, skill, time, opportunity, etc, to do somethingable to swim
capable; competent; talentedan able teacher
law qualified, competent, or authorized to do some specific act

Word Origin for able

C14: ultimately from Latin habilis easy to hold, manageable, apt, from habēre to have, hold + -ilis -ile

British Dictionary definitions for able (2 of 2)

-able
suffix forming adjectives
capable of, suitable for, or deserving of (being acted upon as indicated)enjoyable; pitiable; readable; separable; washable
inclined to; given to; able to; causingcomfortable; reasonable; variable

Derived forms of -able

-ably, suffix forming adverbs-ability, suffix forming nouns

Word Origin for -able

via Old French from Latin -ābilis, -ībilis, forms of -bilis, adjectival suffix
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
FEEDBACK