Definition of able
1a : having sufficient power, skill, or resources to do something able to solve a problemb : having the freedom or opportunity to do something hopes to be able to visit soonc : 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 ablerplay \-b(ə-)lər\; ablestplay \-b(ə-)ləst\ : marked by intelligence, knowledge, skill, or competence an able administrator
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Examples of able in a Sentence
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 of able from the Web
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Now, to be able to have this atmosphere (within the team) with all these amazing players is just amazing.
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That will actually inhibit some countries—particularly newly emerging economies—from being able to invest in some of the technologies that would bring their emissions down.
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Labour is buoyed not only by a dedicated young and social media savvy fan base that is often able to dictate the terms of the debate, but also the lackluster performance of Britain's other major parties, the Liberal Democrats and UKIP.
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The percent able to beat their benchmark this year stands at its highest since February 2015, Bank of America data show.
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Moments later, Casey was able to escape by jumping out of the car in the vicinity of Jack's Restaurant.
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Authorities say a wounded black bear attacked and injured an Idaho hunter, who was able to shoot the animal after the two tumbled down a hill.
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The conflict has undermined the effectiveness of regulatory mechanisms, and powerful people have been able to exploit the natural resources at the expense of less influential locals.
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Using this observation, Dr. Yancey was able to form a scientific hypothesis -- a term that is formed from two Greek words, ``hy,'' which means ``something,''
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'able'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of able
-able
-ible
Definition of -able
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
or less commonly-ibly
adverb suffixOrigin and Etymology of -able
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)
ABLE Defined for English Language Learners
-able
Definition of -able for English Language Learners
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: fit for or worthy of being
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: likely to or capable of
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: having a certain quality
ABLE Defined for Kids
able
playDefinition of able for Students
abler
\-blər\;ablest
\-bləst\1 : having enough power, resources, or skill to do something Are you able to swim?
2 : having the freedom or opportunity to do something I'll come when I'm able.
3 : having or showing much skill an able dancer
-able
-ible
\ə-bəl\Definition of -able for Students
1 : capable of, fit for, or worthy of being lovable flexible
2 : tending or likely to changeable
-ably
also-ibly
\ə-blē\ adverb suffix adorablyLaw Dictionary
able
Legal Definition of able
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
Learn More about able
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See words that rhyme with able Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for able Spanish Central: Translation of able Nglish: Translation of able for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of able for Arabic speakers
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