amenable

[ uh-mee-nuh-buhl, uh-men-uh- ]

adjective

1. ready or willing to answer, act, agree, or yield; open to influence, persuasion, or advice; agreeable; submissive; tractable:

   an amenable servant.

   Synonyms: easy, docile, manageable

   Antonyms: recalcitrant, stubborn

2. liable to be called to account; answerable; legally responsible:

   You are amenable for this debt.

3. capable of or agreeable to being tested, tried, analyzed, etc.

   Synonyms: responsible, accountable

amenable

/ əˈmiːnəbəl /

adjective

1. open or susceptible to suggestion; likely to listen, cooperate, etc
2. accountable for behaviour to some authority; answerable
3. capable of being or liable to be tested, judged, etc

Derived Forms

• aˌmenaˈbility, noun
• aˈmenably, adverb

Other Words From

• a·mena·bili·ty a·mena·ble·ness noun
• a·mena·bly adverb
• nona·mena·bili·ty noun
• nona·mena·ble adjective
• nona·mena·ble·ness noun
• nona·mena·bly adverb
• una·mena·ble adjective
• una·mena·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of amenable¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Anglo-French, equivalent to Middle French amen(er) “to lead to” ( a- a- ⁵ + mener, from Late Latin mināre “to push, impel,” from Latin minārī “to threaten”) + -able -able

Word History and Origins

Origin of amenable¹

C16: from Anglo-French, from Old French amener to lead up, from Latin mināre to drive (cattle), from minārī to threaten

Example Sentences

They were more amenable when it came to disability accommodations and community amenities — granting some and agreeing to consider others.

From Los Angeles Times

Trump, for his part, has a track record of supporting economic measures that are amenable to large corporations, like McDonald’s, but his affinity for the company is more personal.

From Salon

In recent interviews she has made a habit of stonewalling, dodging and reformulating questions to render them amenable to stock, scripted responses.

From Salon

All the other challenges are harder, and many are not amenable to human ingenuity at this stage.

From Los Angeles Times

“Harris’ entry has changed the complexion of states up for grabs, I would say, from where Biden was — and it’s made it more amenable for Democrats.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• agreeable
• responsive
• susceptible