suitable

1 of 2

adjective

suit·​able ˈsü-tə-bəl 

1

a

: adapted to a use or purpose

suitable for kitchen use

b

: satisfying propriety : proper

suitable dress

c

: able, qualified

a suitable candidate for the job

2

obsolete : similar, matching

suitability

ˌsü-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

suitableness noun

suitably

ˈsü-tə-blē 

adverb

suitability

2 of 2

noun

suit·​abil·​i·​ty ˌsütəˈbilətē 

-ütə-, 

-lətē, 

-i

: the quality or state of being suitable or appropriate: such as

a

: compatibility

a marriage of pure inclination and suitability

—Charles Dickens

b

: fitness, qualification

unfounded accusations reflecting on their loyalty and suitability

—Sidney Hook

the suitability of the land for cultivation

Synonyms of suitable

Adjective

• qualified
• good
• capable
• competent
• fit
• able

Choose the Right Synonym for suitable

fit, suitable, meet, proper, appropriate, fitting, apt, happy, felicitous mean right with respect to some end, need, use, or circumstance.

fit stresses adaptability and sometimes special readiness for use or action.

fit for battle

suitable implies an answering to requirements or demands.

clothes suitable for camping

meet suggests a just proportioning.

meet payment

proper suggests a suitability through essential nature or accordance with custom.

proper acknowledgment

appropriate implies eminent or distinctive fitness.

an appropriate gift

fitting implies harmony of mood or tone.

a fitting end

apt connotes a fitness marked by nicety and discrimination.

apt quotations

happy suggests what is effectively or successfully appropriate.

a happy choice of words

felicitous suggests an aptness that is opportune, telling, or graceful.

a felicitous phrase

Examples of suitable in a Sentence

Adjective

The dress was a suitable choice.

We upgraded the computer to make it suitable to our needs.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Davis had been found suitable for parole eight different times since 2010, but California Govs. — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Export options include multiple print and digital sizes suitable for ebooks and self-publishing platforms. — Stackcommerce Team, PC Magazine, 14 Sep. 2026

Researchers at Switzerland's Empa institute and Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi took on the challenge of finding a way to make sand more suitable for growing crops. — Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 13 Sep. 2026

Any existing solid brick, breeze-block or concrete barriers must be removed as soon as reasonably practicable, or covered with suitable protection if they cannot be removed for structural reasons. — Stuart James, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1563, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for suitable

• computable
• disputable
• immutable
• imputable
• inscrutable
• unsuitable
• executable
• indisputable
• irrefutable
• substitutable
• mutable

Kids Definition

suitable

adjective

suit·​able ˈsüt-ə-bəl 

1

: adapted to a use or purpose

food suitable for human consumption

2

: being fit or right for a use or group

clothes suitable to the occasion

a movie suitable for children

3

: qualified sense 1, capable

looking for a suitable replacement

suitability

ˌsüt-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun

suitableness

ˈsüt-ə-bəl-nəs

noun

suitably

-blē 

adverb