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

Level 4 automated vehicles, which this research was based on, are capable of automatically starting fail-safe and fail-operational protocols.

From Science Daily

The swift sinking of former Rep. Matt Gaetz as President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general showed Thursday that Republicans are still capable of finding fault with Trump’s choices, and even pushing back.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From BBC

“They know their body better. They’re more capable of asking for what they want,” Ury said.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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