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

Many will be able to see Trump and observe any of his reactions while the judge describes the case. —Graham Kates, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2024

In one test, a man wearing the prosthesis is able to avoid objects while walking on a treadmill in front of a virtual reality video screen. —Emily Mullin, WIRED, 15 Apr. 2024

Most people would not be able to do what Robinson did. —Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2024

Even if the bomber had not been freed by the Taliban, ISIS-K would still have been able to carry out the bombing, the second official said. —Matt Seyler, ABC News, 15 Apr. 2024

And there’s a dropout rate—PitchBook in February estimated that 37% of VCs who raised a first fund will not be able to raise a second. —Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 15 Apr. 2024

Although her final season with Stanford ended in a disappointing Sweet 16 defeat to NC State, Brink was able to record 32 rebounds and 18 blocks in just three 2024 NCAA tournament games. —Ben Morse, CNN, 15 Apr. 2024

During his waning years and then following his death in 1969, party leadership was assumed by a cadre of communist officers who proved to be some of the most able military minds of the modern era. —Nick Hilden, Washington Post, 14 Apr. 2024

Boebert's campaign said she is expected to be able to get back to work after a brief recovery period. —Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY, 3 Apr. 2024

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

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