trainable

American  

[trey-nuh-buhl] / ˈtreɪ nə bəl /

adjective

1. capable of being trained.

2. Education. of or relating to individuals with moderate intellectual disabilities who may achieve some self-sufficiency, as in personal care.

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Other Word Forms

• trainability noun
• untrainable adjective

Etymology

Origin of trainable

First recorded in 1540–50; train + -able

Explanation

If someone is trainable, they can be taught or educated. People without work experience may be hired anyway, if the employer thinks they're trainable. Your puppy is terrible on a leash and chews on shoes, but she's trainable. In other words, with enough consistent practice, you can teach her how to be a very good dog. And even though you've never set foot on a boat, if you want to learn to sail one you're definitely trainable — all you need is the right instructor. Trainable comes from the verb train, to "teach or discipline."

Example Sentences

Noisy circuits may appear trainable, but this is partly because noise has already reduced their effective complexity.

From Science Daily • Apr. 6, 2026

Although cats are very trainable – they're very food motivated – cats usually train us more than we train them.

From Salon • Aug. 11, 2023

“They were highly trainable with peanuts,” he said.

From Washington Post • Apr. 12, 2022

The authors reviewed existing studies and data on animal cognition and found that while dogs are smart and trainable, they are not “super smart,” despite what most dog owners will tell you.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 8, 2018

The business of the church school is still largely that of filling minds with theological data rather than training young, trainable lives to become religious schoolboys, religious voters, religious parents.

From Religious Education in the Family by Cope, Henry Frederick