operable

adjective

op·​er·​a·​ble ˈä-p(ə-)rə-bəl How to pronounce operable (audio)
1
: fit, possible, or desirable to use : practicable
2
: likely to result in a favorable outcome upon surgical treatment
an operable cancer
operably adverb

Examples of operable in a Sentence

The radio is operable without the car running. the historic wooden ship has been fully restored and is once again an operable seafaring vessel
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Authorities recovered a bottle of alcohol and two operable firearms with ammunition in a shoebox in the vehicle, according to court docs. Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2025 China’s ‘Linglong One’ was the world’s first operable commercial SMR, with the second being in Russia. Wesley Alexander Hill, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025 As the disease spreads through mist that contains the bacteria, city health officials have had to move swiftly to investigate all operable cooling towers in the area and take measures to avoid the spread of the disease. Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 July 2025 There's also a breakfast bar and a large operable window that can be used for serving food and drinks outside and will be especially useful if paired with the optional porch shown in some of the promo photos. Adam Williams july 14, New Atlas, 14 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for operable

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Late Latin operābilis "active, efficacious," from operārī "to work, be efficacious" + Latin -ābilis -able — more at operate

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of operable was in 1646

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Operable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/operable. Accessed 15 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

operable

adjective
op·​er·​a·​ble ˈäp-(ə-)rə-bəl How to pronounce operable (audio)
1
: fit, possible, or desirable to use
2
: likely to have a favorable result upon surgical treatment
an operable cancer

Medical Definition

operable

adjective
op·​er·​a·​ble ˈäp-(ə-)rə-bəl How to pronounce operable (audio)
1
: fit, possible, or desirable to use
2
: likely to result in a favorable outcome upon surgical treatment
operability noun
plural operabilities
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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