-ible

1. variant of -able, occurring in words borrowed from Latin ( credible; horrible; visible ), or modeled on the Latin type ( reducible ).

-ible

suffix forming adjectives

1. a variant of -able

Derived Forms

• -ibly, suffix:forming_adverbs
• -ibility, suffix:forming_nouns

Word History and Origins

Origin of -ible¹

< Latin -ibil ( is ) or -ībil ( is ), equivalent to -i- or -ī- thematic vowel + -bilis -ble

Example Sentences

Final e of a primitive word is dropped on taking a suffix beginning with a vowel: as, blame + able = blamable; guide + ance = guidance; come + ing = coming; force + ible = forcible; obscure + ity = obscurity.

From Literature

Explain what is meant by "corrupt principles"; a "corrupt judge."—Combine and define corrupt + ion; corrupt + ible; in + corrupt + ible.—What other part of speech than an adjective is "corrupt"?—What part of speech is it in the sentence "evil communications corrupt good manners"?

From Literature

And that’s where we found Ible, a Taiwanese company that created a very specific kind of wearable.

From Washington Post

This holiday season, retail analysts say there has been a dis­cern­ible shift in gift-giving as Americans think beyond traditional presents.

From Washington Post

Shanmugam, who argues before federal appeals courts across the country, said more and more offer either live audio or same-day release of recordings, with no dis­cern­ible effect.

From Washington Post