able

1 of 2

adjective

ˈā-bəl 

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

an able administrator

-able

2 of 2

adjective suffix

variants or less commonly -ible

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 adverb suffix

or less commonly -ibly

Synonyms

Adjective

• capable
• competent
• equal
• fit
• good
• qualified
• suitable

Examples of able in a Sentence

Adjective

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 on the Web

Adjective

For an hour or two, maybe, a person might have been able to see their own face reflected there, until that too was vaporized. —Rebecca Giggs, The New York Review of Books, 30 Nov. 2023

This can be particularly true for remote workers—more common in scale-up businesses that haven't been able to or wanted to invest in traditional office space—who can have the chance to gain knowledge from more experienced employees in the partner business. —Lis Anderson, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2023

Both the Japanese and U.S. militaries will likely want to be able to continue using them in the highly strategic corner of the western Pacific. —Elizabeth Palmer, CBS News, 30 Nov. 2023

The teacher might be able to ease some of her concerns about school by engaging with her more in the classroom. —Amy Dickinson, Washington Post, 30 Nov. 2023

In local markets, artist relations and marketing campaign managers will be able to tap into those global teams for analytics, content creation and media planning and buying, the company said. —Dan Rys, Billboard, 30 Nov. 2023

Jamie Bennett, a spokesperson for Novo Nordisk, said that the company has not been able to confirm any adverse events related to either Wells Pharmacy’s or Brooksville Pharmaceuticals’ products. —Berkeley Lovelace Jr., NBC News, 30 Nov. 2023

Guests will be able to partake in labyrinth walking, sensory foot reflexology, and candlelight yoga, for example. —Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 30 Nov. 2023

Fountain, who is 25 weeks pregnant, hadn’t been able to bring herself to start thinking about it. —Bracey Harris, NBC News, 18 Nov. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Adjective

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 give entry 1

Adjective suffix

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)

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing able

• able seaman
• able-bodied seaman
• able-bodied

• able seaman
• able-bodied seaman
• able-bodied

Kids Definition

able

1 of 2 adjective

ˈā-bəl 

abler -b(ə-)lər  ; ablest -b(ə-)ləst 

1

a

: having enough power, skill, or resources to do something

able to swim

b

: not prevented

able to vote

2

: skillful, competent

-able

2 of 2 adjective suffix

variants also -ible

ə-bəl

1

: capable of, fit for, or worthy of being

collectible

2

: tending, given, or likely to

perishable

agreeable

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English able "able," from early French able (same meaning), from Latin habilis "easily managed, skillful," from habēre "to have"

Adjective suffix

derived from Latin -abilis, -ibilis "-able"

Legal Definition

able

adjective

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