capable

adjective

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ca·pa·ble | \ ˈkā-pə-bəl

, in rapid speech ˈkāp-bəl \

Definition of capable

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

Other Words from capable Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More About capable

Examples of capable in a Sentence

a capable and efficient editor

Recent Examples on the Web Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket is planned to be the first of the company's rockets that will be capable of reaching orbit, a trek that requires speeds topping 17,000 miles per hour. — Jackie Wattles, CNN, 23 June 2022 Hartzold, 27, never thought her body wasn’t capable of taking her up trails. — Julie Jag, The Salt Lake Tribune, 23 June 2022 Ducks are what scientists call precocial birds — capable of feeding, swimming and walking soon after hatching. — New York Times, 22 June 2022 Their behavior is especially aggravating to those who are capable of making similar choices but have not yet done so. — Michelle Nijhuis, The Atlantic, 22 June 2022 The mill is mated to eight-speed automatic M Steptronic transmission that sends power to all four wheels and is capable of producing a very robust 510 horses and 479 ft lbs of peak torque, according to the brand. — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 22 June 2022 Yeramyan explains that every person is capable of tapping into their inner genius and sustaining it over time. — Forbes, 21 June 2022 According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, roughly a third of U.S. homes with children have guns, and even young toddlers are capable of finding unlocked guns and are strong enough to pull the trigger. — Elliot Hughes, Journal Sentinel, 21 June 2022 Ukraine’s allies have issued a rallying cry to prepare for a years-long war in the country—with one prominent military official warning that Western countries must be capable of defeating Russian forces on the battlefield. — Chloe Taylor, Fortune, 20 June 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'capable.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.