capable

adjective

ca·​pa·​ble ˈkā-pə-bəl How to pronounce capable (audio)
 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 violenceRobert Graves
5
: having legal right to own, enjoy, or perform
of my land … to make thee capableShakespeare
6
: having or showing general efficiency and ability
a capable lawyer
a capable performance
capableness noun
capably adverb

Examples of capable in a Sentence

a capable and efficient editor
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Stress, when left unmanaged, causes even capable professionals to respond impulsively, misinterpret feedback, or withdraw from collaboration, undermining their credibility and advancement opportunities. Kara Dennison, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025 Don’t miss your opportunity to get your hands on a capable productivity machine with enough oomph for productivity and content creation tasks for $380 less. Jade Chung-Lee, PC Magazine, 20 May 2025 But was Joe Biden based on his entire biography, capable of doing that? Philip Elliott, Time, 20 May 2025 Cruise, who is a pilot capable of flying everything from planes to helicopters, was thrilled by the idea. Michael Nied, People.com, 20 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for capable

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of capable was in 1579

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Capable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/capable. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

capable

adjective
ca·​pa·​ble ˈkā-pə-bəl How to pronounce capable (audio)
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 adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on capable

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