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

Since 1975, only those younger than 80 are able to participate in the papal conclave. —Savannah Kuchar, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025

Conversely, the athletic Pope John Paul II – 5 feet, 10 inches tall and broad-shouldered – is said to have barely been able to fit into the large-sized vestments for his first public appearance. —Christopher Watson, ABC News, 21 Apr. 2025

Ripley, at the last second, was able to break up Belair’s pin attempt. —Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2025

The research offers hope that stem cell transplants may be able to replace the loss of certain cells that leads to Parkinson’s symptoms. —Lillian Ali, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Apr. 2025

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-bodied
• able-bodied seaman
• able seaman

Rhymes for able

• allocable
• educable
• integrable
• purchasable
• thermostable
• bubble
• chaebol
• double
• fable
• label
• rubble
• sable

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