able

¹ American  

[ey-buhl] / ˈeɪ bəl /

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:

   fitted, fit

   Antonyms:

   incompetent

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

   an able leader.

   Synonyms:

   ingenious, clever, skilled, talented

3. showing talent, skill, or knowledge.

   an able speech.

   Synonyms:

   apt

4. legally empowered, qualified, or authorized.

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noun

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

-able ² American  

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 ).

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able ¹ British  

/ ˈeɪbəl /

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

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-able ² British  

suffix

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

   enjoyable

   pitiable

   readable

   separable

   washable

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

   comfortable

   reasonable

   variable

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Related Words

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.

Other Word Forms

• -ability suffix
• -ably suffix
• overable adjective
• overably adverb

Etymology

Origin of able¹

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

Origin of -able²

Middle English < Old French < Latin -ābilis, equivalent to -ā- final vowel of 1st conjugation v. stems + -bilis

Explanation

If you're able to juggle, you'll go far in life. To be able is to have the skill, knowledge, or permission to do something. Able is an adjective that describes the ability to do a particular thing, like your friend who's able to ride a motorcycle and your dog that's able to roll over on command. It can also mean very skilled or capable, as when you describe your sister as an able tap dancer. Able comes from the Latin word habilis, "easily handled or apt." The h is silent in Latin, which led to it being dropped from the English able.

Example Sentences

But rising oil prices this time around may not be able to directly translate into proportional gains in revenue or earnings for oil producers, according to market analysts.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 23, 2026

In areas such as the U.S., customers with older hardware aren’t able to use the most advanced version of the software, which is designed to run on a newer hardware setup now called AI4.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026

Using their AI model, the researchers were able to describe non-reciprocal forces with more than 99% accuracy.

From Science Daily • Apr. 23, 2026

"You want to help… to go on the wards and see the mothers and babies, knowing that I might not be able to do this after I graduate, it's really disheartening."

From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026

Once I explain it all properly, show him the materials, there’s no way he’ll be able to say no.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

Related Words

• adept
• apt
• capable
• competent
• proficient
• skilled