able

adjective \ ˈā-bəl \

Updated on: 30 Nov 2017

Definition of able

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 play \-b(ə-)lər\; ablest play \-b(ə-)ləst\ : marked by intelligence, knowledge, skill, or competence

an able administrator

—

ably

play \ˈā-b(ə-)lē\ adverb

- a task performed ably

See able defined for English-language learners

See able defined for kids

Examples of able in a Sentence

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 of able from the Web

Hinsdale South wasn't able to pull off the comeback in the second round of the Class 6A playoffs and lost 32-16 on Saturday in Darien, but the duo connected three times on the drive before Kolzow's final pass fell to the turf on fourth down.

— jakub rudnik, chicagotribune.com, "Justin Kolzow keeps Hinsdale South close, but second upset bid falters," 5 Nov. 2017
Both victims suffered extensive stab wounds but were able to get into the car and drive to a local hospital, the news release said.

— cathy locke, sacbee, "Gang members sentenced for attempted murder | The Sacramento Bee," 3 Nov. 2017
Sacred Heart hasn’t been able to string two wins together since opening the season with wins over Stetson and Lafayette, which only have two wins apiece going into Saturday.

— desmond conner, courant.com, "State Football Games Saturday," 3 Nov. 2017
Munster thinks Tesla will be able to make just 2,500 Model 3s in the fourth quarter.

— adam lashinsky, Fortune, "Elon Musk's Embarrassing Tesla Production Shortfall," 2 Nov. 2017
The images are a glimpse into a future when telescopes will be able to just make out rocky, Earth-sized planets around other stars.

— daniel clery, Science | AAAS, "Earth-sized alien worlds are out there. Now, astronomers are figuring out how to detect life on them," 1 Nov. 2017
It was thought to be fully funded through federal, state and local sources, although that won’t be enough now if officials aren’t able to significantly reduce the construction prices received in October.

— larry barszewski, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Broward considers another attempt to raise sales tax for transportation," 31 Oct. 2017
Cathedral, playing its first game under Melson, did hang tough and the Giants were never able to pull away.

— lewis bagley, Indianapolis Star, "Girls basketball: Ben Davis outlasts Cathedral," 31 Oct. 2017
That patient was not able to make it to the hospital for the procedure after Maria, because roads from the interior of the island had been washed out.

— vann r. newkirk ii, The Atlantic, "Puerto Rico's Health-Care Crisis Is Just Beginning," 29 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'able.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of able

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 ¹give

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First Known Use: 14th century

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able Synonyms

Synonyms

competent, capable, equal, fit, good, qualified, suitable

Antonyms

incompetent, inept, poor, unfit, unfitted, unqualified

Related Words

accomplished, ace, adept, experienced, expert, master, masterful, masterly, practiced (also practised), proficient, seasoned, skilled, skillful, veteran; overqualified; prepared, schooled, trained; apt, ready, willing; all-around (also all-round), protean, versatile

Near Antonyms

inexperienced, inexpert, unseasoned, unskilled, unskillful; unprepared, unschooled, untrained; beginning, green, new, raw, untested, untried

-able

adjective suffix

variants: or less commonly -ible

Definition of -able

1 : capable of, fit for, or worthy of (being so acted upon or toward) —chiefly in adjectives derived from verbs

breakable

collectible

2 : tending, given, or liable to

agreeable

perishable

—

-ably

or less commonly -ibly adverb suffix

Origin and Etymology of -able

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)

ABLE Defined for English Language Learners

-able

adjective suffix

Definition of -able for English Language Learners

: fit for or worthy of being
: likely to or capable of
: having a certain quality

ABLE Defined for Kids

able

adjective \ ˈā-bəl \

Definition of able for Students

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

Synonym Discussion of able

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.

-able

adjective suffix

variants: also -ible \ə-bəl\

Definition of -able for Students

1 : capable of, fit for, or worthy of being

lovable

flexible

2 : tending or likely to

changeable

—

-ably

also -ibly \ə-blē\ adverb suffix

adorably

Law Dictionary

able

adjective

legal Definition of able

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

Learn More about able

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Examples of able in a Sentence

Recent Examples of able from the Web

Origin and Etymology of able

able Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

-able

Definition of -able

-ably

Origin and Etymology of -able

ABLE Defined for English Language Learners

-able

Definition of -able for English Language Learners

ABLE Defined for Kids

able

Definition of able for Students

Synonym Discussion of able

-able

Definition of -able for Students

-ably

Law Dictionary

able

legal Definition of able

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