capable

[ key-puh-buhl ]

adjective

1. having power and ability; efficient; competent:

   a capable instructor.

   Synonyms: accomplished, ingenious, skillful

capable

/ ˈkeɪpəbəl /

adjective

1. having ability, esp in many different fields; competent
2. postpositivefoll byof able or having the skill (to do something)

   she is capable of hard work

3. postpositivefoll byof having the temperament or inclination (to do something)

   he seemed capable of murder

Derived Forms

• ˈcapableness, noun
• ˈcapably, adverb

Other Words From

• capa·ble·ness noun
• capa·bly adverb
• over·capa·ble adjective
• quasi-capa·ble adjective
• quasi-capa·bly adverb
• super·capa·ble adjective
• super·capa·ble·ness noun
• super·capa·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of capable¹

First recorded in 1555–65; from Late Latin capābilis “intelligent, understandable,” apparently equivalent to cap(āx) “competent, fit, roomy” ( capacity ) + -ābilis able

Word History and Origins

Origin of capable¹

C16: from French, from Late Latin capābilis able to take in, from Latin capere to take

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. capable of,
   1. having the ability or capacity for:

      a man capable of judging art.

   2. open to the influence or effect of; susceptible of:

      a situation capable of improvement.

   3. predisposed to; inclined to:

      capable of murder.

Synonym Study

See able.

Example Sentences

“And show that he is capable of fixing problems which his predecessor failed to fix.”

From BBC

The Rams are capable of making this very interesting, but Philadelphia gets the edge.

From Los Angeles Times

He is capable of playing as a defensive midfielder or slightly further forward and has become a regular in Italy's team since Euro 2024.

From BBC

“If you watched him in college, you know what he’s capable of,” Reaves said after the Lakers’ 124-118 win against Utah.

From Los Angeles Times

“Unfortunately, a lot of us don’t grow up with education about disabled people and what they’re capable of,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• able
• accomplished
• adept
• adequate
• competent
• efficient
• experienced
• gifted
• good
• intelligent
• proficient
• qualified
• skillful
• suited
• talented