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Definition of capable
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
5 : having legal right to own, enjoy, or perform of my land … to make thee capable — Shakespeare
6 : having or showing general efficiency and ability a capable lawyer a capable performance
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Examples of capable in a Sentence
a capable and efficient editor
Recent Examples of capable from the Web
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North Korea is widely believed to be developing an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching the U.S. mainland, or, at the very least, U.S. bases in South Korea and Japan.
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The Kings drafted Fox to be their future star at the point, but also want a capable veteran to help usher Fox and Mason through the rigors of the league.
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Listen, there's no way these things have energetic charge capable of healing anything but a couple hundo burning a hole in my wallet.
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DARIA'S ANGEL didn't fire last out but is capable of better.
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Tomlinson was a multi-dimensional threat at running back, capable of doing damage to a defense as a runner, as a pass-catcher and even with the occasional pass.
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Though voice assistants have become more skillful—capable of summoning...
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But our different interpretations of facial expressions can be a misunderstanding capable of endangering both people and monkeys.
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Twelve of the 14 gates will be international and the airport is working to potentially make the remaining two capable to handle international flights, too.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'capable'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of capable
Medieval French or Late Latin; Medieval French capable, from Late Latin capabilis, irregular from Latin capere to take — more at heave
CAPABLE Defined for English Language Learners
capable
playDefinition of capable for English Language Learners
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: able to do something : having the qualities or abilities that are needed to do something
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: skilled at doing something : able to do something well
CAPABLE Defined for Kids
capable
playDefinition of capable for Students
1 : having the qualities or abilities that are needed to do or accomplish something You are capable of better work.
2 : able to do something well a capable actress
capably
\-blē\ adverbWord Root of capable
The Latin word capere, meaning “to seize” or “to take,” and its form captus give us the roots cap, capt, and cept. Words from the Latin capere have something to do with taking. To capture is to take something or someone by using force. To accept is to take something willingly. Anyone capable of doing something is able to take on that task.
Learn More about capable
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See words that rhyme with capable Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for capable Spanish Central: Translation of capable Nglish: Translation of capable for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of capable for Arabic speakers
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