capable

1 of 2

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

5

: having legal right to own, enjoy, or perform

… of my land … I'll work the means / To make thee capable.

—William Shakespeare

6

: having or showing general efficiency and ability

a capable lawyer

a capable performance

capableness

ˈkā-pə-bəl-nəs 

noun

capably

ˈkā-pə-blē 

adverb

capableness

2 of 2

noun

ca·​pa·​ble·​ness ˈkā-pə-bəl-nəs 

plural -es

: capability

Synonyms of capable

Adjective

• suitable
• qualified
• competent
• able

Examples of capable in a Sentence

Adjective

a capable and efficient editor

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

In the early stage of the trip, the twin-engine jets headed for Alaska and passed over Greenland, where an Airbus A400M support plane capable of landing on ice was stationed. — Arkansas Online, 12 Sep. 2026

This does indicate that, like Pickford, Suzuki is capable of getting huge distances on his passes. — Aston Villa, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

The techniques that made chatbots more capable can also bake in a tendency to hack, cheat and evade human oversight. — Gerrit De Vynck, Washington Post, 11 Sep. 2026

When the crown proves capable of betrayal, Garfield sees the break as spiritual as much as political. — Jp Mangalindan, Time, 11 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle French or Late Latin; Middle French capable, from Late Latin capabilis, irregular from Latin capere to take — more at heave entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for capable

• incapable
• inescapable

Kids 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

ˌkā-pə-ˈbil-ət-ē

noun

capably

ˈkā-pə-blē 

adverb