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
Physicians are increasingly supported by systems capable of flagging disease markers invisible to the human eye.
—Nia Bowers, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
Today's leader must be just as comfortable on Zoom as in person, as willing to listen as to lead and capable of building trust across ages, identities and working styles.
—Kathryn Lancioni, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Seoul, South Korea — The United States and Japan begin two weeks of military exercises on Thursday that will deploy a missile system capable of striking the Chinese mainland, a move Beijing has already condemned as threat to regional security and stability.
—Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
Along with hypersonic missiles, a range of new drone types, cyber warfare systems and a laser weapon, five new types of nuclear-capable systems were showcased during the parade.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for capable
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Nia Bowers, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
Today's leader must be just as comfortable on Zoom as in person, as willing to listen as to lead and capable of building trust across ages, identities and working styles.
—Kathryn Lancioni, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Seoul, South Korea — The United States and Japan begin two weeks of military exercises on Thursday that will deploy a missile system capable of striking the Chinese mainland, a move Beijing has already condemned as threat to regional security and stability.
—Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
Along with hypersonic missiles, a range of new drone types, cyber warfare systems and a laser weapon, five new types of nuclear-capable systems were showcased during the parade.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 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 17 Sep. 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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