View synonyms for able

able

[ ey-buhl ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

abler, ablest.

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.
Synonyms: fitted, fit
Antonyms: incompetent
having unusual or superior intelligence, skill, etc.:
an able leader.
Synonyms: ingenious, clever, skilled, talented
showing talent, skill, or knowledge:
an able speech.
Synonyms: apt
legally empowered, qualified, or authorized.

noun

Usually Able. a code word formerly used in communications to represent the letter A.

-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 ).

-able

suffix forming adjectives

capable of, suitable for, or deserving of (being acted upon as indicated)
separable
enjoyable
pitiable
washable
readable
inclined to; given to; able to; causing
comfortable
variable
reasonable

able

/ ˈeɪbəl /

adjective

postpositive having the necessary power, resources, skill, time, opportunity, etc, to do something
able to swim
capable; competent; talented
an able teacher
law qualified, competent, or authorized to do some specific act

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Derived Forms

-ably, suffix:forming_adverbs
-ability, suffix:forming_nouns

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Other Words From

over·able adjective
over·ab·ly adverb

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Word History and Origins

Origin of able¹

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

Origin of able²

Middle English < Old French < Latin -ābilis, equivalent to -ā- final vowel of 1st conjugation v. stems + -bilis

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Word History and Origins

Origin of able¹

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

Origin of able²

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

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Synonym Study

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.

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Example Sentences

Still, the actor was able to find specifics to “Black Bag’s” George that differed from Martian.

From Los Angeles Times

On one hand, they were grateful to be among the few parents who have lost a loved one to fentanyl and been able to see the dealer put behind bars.

From Los Angeles Times

He was made redundant six weeks before his son Chester was born in August last year and hasn't been able to find full-time employment since.

From BBC

“They sent out a couple field engineers who were able to confirm that the truck was in a safe enough condition to be transported back to their service center.”

From Los Angeles Times

"I'll never feel like an adult as I can't do things everyone else is able to, like drive or work," she said.

From BBC

Related Words

ablaze able-bodied

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