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View synonyms for

able

1

[ ey-buhl ]

adjective

abler, ablest.
  1. having necessary power, skill, resources, or qualifications; qualified:

    able to lift a two-hundred-pound weight; able to write music; able to travel widely; able to vote.

    Synonyms: ,

    Antonyms:

  2. having unusual or superior intelligence, skill, etc.:

    an able leader.

    Synonyms: , , ,

  3. showing talent, skill, or knowledge:

    an able speech.

    Synonyms:

  4. legally empowered, qualified, or authorized.


noun

  1. Usually Able. a code word formerly used in communications to represent the letter A.

-able

2
  1. a suffix meaning “capable of, susceptible of, fit for, tending to, given to,” associated in meaning with the word able, occurring in loanwords from Latin ( laudable ); used in English as a highly productive suffix to form adjectives by addition to stems of any origin ( teachable; photographable ).

-able

1

suffix forming adjectives

  1. capable of, suitable for, or deserving of (being acted upon as indicated)

    separable

    enjoyable

    pitiable

    washable

    readable

  2. inclined to; given to; able to; causing

    comfortable

    variable

    reasonable

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

able

2

/ ˈɪə /

adjective

  1. postpositive having the necessary power, resources, skill, time, opportunity, etc, to do something

    able to swim

  2. capable; competent; talented

    an able teacher

  3. law qualified, competent, or authorized to do some specific act
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • -ably, suffix:forming_adverbs
  • -ability, suffix:forming_nouns
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Other Word Forms

  • v·b adjective
  • v·b· adverb
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Word History and Origins

Origin of able1

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin habilis “handy,” equivalent to 󲹲(ŧ) “to have, hold” + -ilis adjective suffix; -ile

Origin of able2

Middle English < Old French < Latin -, equivalent to -- final vowel of 1st conjugation v. stems + -bilis
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Word History and Origins

Origin of able1

via Old French from Latin -, -ī, forms of -bilis, adjectival suffix

Origin of able2

C14: ultimately from Latin habilis easy to hold, manageable, apt, from 󲹲ŧ to have, hold + -ilis -ile
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Synonym Study

Able, capable, competent all mean possessing adequate power for doing something. Able implies power equal to effort required: able to finish in time. Capable implies power to meet or fulfill ordinary requirements: a capable worker. Competent suggests power to meet demands in a completely satisfactory manner: a competent nurse.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

"A sizeable minority depend on being able to use cash," said Dame Meg Hillier, who chairs the influential Treasury Committee.

From

She added: "I don't think people have really appreciated the power of social prescribing and how good it is to be able to help yourself and have the tools to prevent relapses later on."

From

Farmer Salam Saeed, whose land is in the shadow of a large Turkish base, hasn't been able to cultivate his vineyard for the past three years.

From

"In the future, we think metagenomics will become a first line test and be able to diagnose infection in any sample, probably within the same day," she says.

From

Southwest credit card holders will be able to select their seats regardless of the bundle they purchase and also receive early boarding and a free checked bag, the airline said.

From

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ablazeable-bodied