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

A proven winner and a man capable of capturing global interest, Mourinho would satisfy both commercial and sporting needs.

From BBC

Yet Lu — sporting copper-dyed hair and a Hello Kitty guitar capable of insane noise — locked onto something distinctly young in her music.

From Los Angeles Times

From the moment Trump announced his candidacy in 2015 I knew in my head that this country was capable of taking a sharply authoritarian turn, but in my heart, I couldn’t fully accept it.

From Salon

By then, it also expects to be capable of producing 200 units a year, and to be breaking even in cash terms.

From BBC

The decision also made possible a hero’s transformation for Charles, from a fumbling first-time spy to someone capable of solving a case.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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