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 … I'll work the means / To make thee capable.—William Shakespeare
William 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
Malo Gusto is athletically capable of being the Frimpong at Chelsea, but has not demonstrated the same level of aptitude in front of goal.
—Liam Twomey, New York Times, 17 May 2026
When added to the 519 hp that the V8 engine generates, the result is truly stunning, and yet, the Continental GT S’s power delivery not the most this elegant sedan is capable of.
—Scotty Reiss, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
The group blamed both the army and RSF and said some drones use visual monitoring technology capable of distinguishing targets, raising concerns that the attacks may not have been indiscriminate.
—ABC News, 16 May 2026
But companies like Standard Oil, even at the height of its power, did not have a direct line to the Oval Office, a seat at the inauguration, and an AI model capable of finding security vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure.
—Olivier Sylvain, Fortune, 16 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for capable
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Liam Twomey, New York Times, 17 May 2026
When added to the 519 hp that the V8 engine generates, the result is truly stunning, and yet, the Continental GT S’s power delivery not the most this elegant sedan is capable of.
—Scotty Reiss, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
The group blamed both the army and RSF and said some drones use visual monitoring technology capable of distinguishing targets, raising concerns that the attacks may not have been indiscriminate.
—ABC News, 16 May 2026
But companies like Standard Oil, even at the height of its power, did not have a direct line to the Oval Office, a seat at the inauguration, and an AI model capable of finding security vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure.
—Olivier Sylvain, Fortune, 16 May 2026
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 May. 2026.
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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