Definition of capable
1
: susceptible
a remark capable of being misunderstood
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
Test Your Vocabulary
The Great British Vocabulary Quiz
-
- Named after Sir Robert Peel, what are British police called?

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share capable
Time Traveler for capable
The first known use of capable was in 1579
See more words from the same year