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

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

capableness

ˈkā-pə-bəl-nəs 

noun

capably

ˈkā-pə-blē 

adverb

Synonyms

• able
• competent
• equal
• fit
• good
• qualified
• suitable

Examples of capable in a Sentence

a capable and efficient editor

Recent Examples on the Web

Court officials argue that electronic recording devices should be allowed as a backup whenever a reporter is not available, and that the law barring them is based partly on outdated notions of what recording devices are capable of capturing. —Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024

But before choosing that option, policymakers need to assess whether such labeling is capable of resolving core public concerns — from algorithmic bias to data commodification to affordable internet access. —TIME, 11 Apr. 2024

Her defense lawyer attempted to portray her as a caring mother, albeit one who did not know her son was capable of such violence — suggesting instead that his school failed to fully inform her of his troubles and that her husband was responsible for the weapon. —Selina Guevara, NBC News, 9 Apr. 2024

The Mirage 2000-5 is an exceptionally capable plane and can be sold. —Paul Iddon, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024

Here are eight fascinating facts about one of the world’s most capable catamarans. —Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 29 Mar. 2024

The book’s main character, 75-year-old Robert Gu, struggles to recover from Alzheimer’s and cope with extraordinary advances in technology, including one that’s capable of mind control. —Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2024

Of those, there are only nine public fast charging stations that are capable of serving heavy trucks, according to the Energy Department. —Jack Ewing, New York Times, 29 Mar. 2024

The largest particle accelerator on Earth is the Large Hadron Collider near Geneva, Switzerland, which is capable of recreating the conditions of the universe after the Big Bang. —Jp Mangalindan, Peoplemag, 29 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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