equable

1 of 2

adjective

equa·​ble ˈe-kwə-bəl  ˈē- 

1

: marked by lack of variation or change : uniform

an equable distance apart

2

: marked by lack of noticeable, unpleasant, or extreme variation or inequality

an equable temperament

equability

ˌe-kwə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

ˌē-

noun

equableness

ˈe-kwə-bəl-nəs 

ˈē-

noun

equably

ˈe-kwə-blē 

ˈē-

adverb

equability

2 of 2

noun

eq·​ua·​bil·​i·​ty ˌekwəˈbilətē 

-lətē, 

-i also ˌēk-

plural -es

1

: the quality or condition of being equable

equability of temperature

: equanimity

they lacked our gusto as surely as we lacked their equability

—John Mason Brown

2

archaic : comparability as equals or on equal terms

Did you know?

Equable usually describes either climate or personality. The word seems to be used less today than in decades past, maybe because the personality type is less admired than it used to be. A steady, calm, equable personality may not produce much excitement but usually makes for a good worker and a good parent, and maybe even a longer life. In the words of the poet Robert Service: "Avoid extremes: be moderate / In saving and in spending. / An equable and easy gait / Will win an easy ending".

Synonyms of equable

Adjective

• temperate
• mild

Choose the Right Synonym for equable

steady, even, equable mean not varying throughout a course or extent.

steady implies lack of fluctuation or interruption of movement.

steady progress

even suggests a lack of variation in quality or character.

an even distribution

equable implies lack of extremes or of sudden sharp changes.

maintain an equable temper

Examples of equable in a Sentence

Adjective

an area with an equable climate would be our first choice for a place in which to settle

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Many aeronautical firsts occurred in the equable skies above this city. —Eric Duvall, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026

Journalism’s trainer Michael McCarthy has been quite equable about all the chatter out of that direction. —Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025

Wolcott is an equable type with cropped dark hair and a preference for business-casual attire, which in the Pacific Northwest qualifies as formal wear. —E. Tammy Kim, The New Yorker, 15 Jan. 2024

The elves with which the casual viewer or reader is familiar may be noble, equable creatures. —Jack Butler, National Review, 31 Dec. 2023

Its colorful international cast of players and their equable manager, Carlo Ancelotti — returning after years to reverse the team’s fortunes — might easily have been invented in a Hollywood writers room. —Los Angeles Times Staff, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin aequabilis, from aequare to make level or equal, from aequus

Noun

Latin aequabilitas, from aequabilis + -itas -ity

First Known Use

Adjective

1677, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

equable

adjective

equa·​ble ˈek-wə-bəl  ˈē-kwə- 

: not varying or changing

especially : free from extremes or sudden or harsh changes

an equable temper

an equable climate

equably

-blē

adverb