capable
adjective
ca·pa·ble
ˈkā-pə-bəl 
in rapid speech ˈkāp-bəl
1
: susceptible
a remark capable of being misunderstood
2
obsolete
: comprehensive
3
: having attributes (such as physical or mental power) required for performance or accomplishment
is capable of intense concentration
4
: having traits conducive to or features permitting something
this woman is capable of murder by violence—
Robert Graves
Robert Graves5
: having legal right to own, enjoy, or perform
of my land … to make thee capable—Shakespeare
Shakespeare6
: having or showing general efficiency and ability
a capable lawyer
a capable performance
Examples of capable in a Sentence
a capable and efficient editor
Recent Examples on the Web
Researchers in Sweden have developed a display technology with the smallest pixels ever made, capable of producing the highest resolution the human eye can perceive.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025
And after a performance like that, where Tottenham were thoroughly outplayed and outfought, Frank will need to lean on characters capable of making an impact on and off the pitch.
—Elias Burke, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
Together, the two homes contain nine bedrooms and form a sprawling Ibizan retreat capable of comfortably accommodating lots of family and friends.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2025
Many regional observers believe Barghouti is the only figure capable of uniting the Palestinians; polls show him as a leading candidate in a hypothetical election for President of the Palestinian Authority.
—Eric Cortellessa, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for capable
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Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025
And after a performance like that, where Tottenham were thoroughly outplayed and outfought, Frank will need to lean on characters capable of making an impact on and off the pitch.
—Elias Burke, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
Together, the two homes contain nine bedrooms and form a sprawling Ibizan retreat capable of comfortably accommodating lots of family and friends.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2025
Many regional observers believe Barghouti is the only figure capable of uniting the Palestinians; polls show him as a leading candidate in a hypothetical election for President of the Palestinian Authority.
—Eric Cortellessa, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for capable
Cite this Entry
“Capable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/capable. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
capable
adjective
ca·pa·ble
ˈkā-pə-bəl
1
: having the qualities (as physical or mental power) to do or accomplish something
you are capable of better work
2
: having qualities or features permitting
a new train capable of very high speeds
3
: able to do one's job well : generally efficient
tries to hire capable people
capability
noun
ˌkā-pə-ˈbil-ət-ē
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