suitable

adjective

suit·​able ˈsü-tə-bəl 

1

a

: adapted to a use or purpose

suitable for kitchen use

b

: satisfying propriety : proper

suitable dress

c

: able, qualified

a suitable candidate for the job

2

obsolete : similar, matching

suitability

ˌsü-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

suitableness noun

suitably

ˈsü-tə-blē 

adverb

Synonyms of suitable

• qualified
• good
• capable
• competent
• fit
• able

Choose the Right Synonym for suitable

fit, suitable, meet, proper, appropriate, fitting, apt, happy, felicitous mean right with respect to some end, need, use, or circumstance.

fit stresses adaptability and sometimes special readiness for use or action.

fit for battle

suitable implies an answering to requirements or demands.

clothes suitable for camping

meet suggests a just proportioning.

meet payment

proper suggests a suitability through essential nature or accordance with custom.

proper acknowledgement

appropriate implies eminent or distinctive fitness.

an appropriate gift

fitting implies harmony of mood or tone.

a fitting end

apt connotes a fitness marked by nicety and discrimination.

apt quotations

happy suggests what is effectively or successfully appropriate.

a happy choice of words

felicitous suggests an aptness that is opportune, telling, or graceful.

a felicitous phrase

Examples of suitable in a Sentence

The dress was a suitable choice.

We upgraded the computer to make it suitable to our needs.

Recent Examples on the Web

The structures produced during the mission were experimental tissues rather than complete organs suitable for transplantation. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 11 July 2026

This leaves little scope for a winger of Garnacho’s type with Chelsea already moving for suitable wing backs in the summer transfer window. — Graham Ruthven, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026

The soft, lightweight fabric is suitable for warm weather and doesn’t cling or stick, according to reviewers. — Jacquelyn McGilvray, PEOPLE, 11 July 2026

In February 2024, the prison system attempted to put Creech to death by lethal injection, but failed to do so when members of the execution team couldn’t find a suitable vein in his body for an IV to deliver the drugs. — Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 10 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1563, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for suitable

• computable
• disputable
• immutable
• imputable
• inscrutable
• unsuitable
• executable
• indisputable
• irrefutable
• substitutable
• mutable

Kids Definition

suitable

adjective

suit·​able ˈsüt-ə-bəl 

1

: adapted to a use or purpose

food suitable for human consumption

2

: being fit or right for a use or group

clothes suitable to the occasion

a movie suitable for children

3

: qualified sense 1, capable

looking for a suitable replacement

suitability

ˌsüt-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun

suitableness

ˈsüt-ə-bəl-nəs

noun

suitably

-blē 

adverb