abled

adjective \ ˈā-bəld \

Definition of abled

: capable of unimpaired function

designed to be helpful to the less abled

— compare differently abled

Recent Examples of abled from the Web

So much is focused on fertility and reproduction — and that's not always something abled people think disabled people should or can do.

— ariel henley, Teen Vogue, "Why Sex Education for Disabled People Is So Important," 5 Oct. 2017
Many of these men and women lack the same freedom of movement and clarity of speech as abled people, yet they are focused less on their limitations and more on their potential.

— robbie shell, WSJ, "When ‘Enough’ Doesn’t Have to Mean ‘More’," 23 Apr. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'abled.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of abled

extracted from disabled

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1946

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

abled

adjective \ ˈā-bəld \

medical Definition of abled

: capable of unimpaired function

the senior citizens, those less abled in some way
—Richard Hair

— compare differently abled

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