able Hear it!

able Definition

able (ā′bəl)

adjective a′bler-blər, a′blest-bləst

  1. having enough power, skill, etc. to do something able to read
  2. having much power of mind; skilled; talented an able teacher
  3. Law legally qualified, authorized, or competent to do a specified act

Etymology: ME < OFr hable, habile < L habilis, easily handled, apt < habere, to have, hold: see habit

able Synonyms

able

modif.

  1. Showing superior innate capacity

    talented, gifted, intelligent, ingenious, clever, smart, bright, canny, apt, ready, well-fitted, well-suited, worthy, capable, endowed, dexterous, handy, agile, nimble, nimble-fingered, strong, powerful, versatile, well-rounded, capacitated, cut out for*, having what it takes*, having the right stuff*.

    Antonyms stupid, bungling, unadaptable.

  2. Showing superior proven skill

    competent, capable, effective, efficient, qualified, well-qualified, fit, accomplished, proficient, skillful, skilled, adept, deft, adroit, clever, artful, masterly, masterful, expert, practiced, experienced, workmanlike, versatile, well-rounded, well-versed, conversant, knowledgeable, au fait (French), responsible, enterprising, resourceful, inventive, dexterous, strong, superior, first-rate, top-notch*, top-flight*, crack*, crackerjack*, slick*, smooth*, all-around*, an old dog at*, up on*, hotshot*, up to snuff*, up to the mark*, on the ball*.

    Antonyms inexperienced, inefficient, unskillful.

  3. Having the necessary power, skill, or resources

    capable of, qualified, fit for, fitted, well-fitted, equipped, well-equipped, equal to, suited to, competent to, having the ability, having the capability, having the capacity, cut out for*, up to*, up on*, conversant with, proficient, at home in, adequate, suitable, prepared, ready, endowed, authorized, empowered.

able means having the power or capacity to do something able to make payments but when used before a noun implies superior power or skill an able administrator; capable usually implies the satisfactory meeting of ordinary requirements a capable machinist; competent and qualified both imply the possession of the requisite qualifications or skills for the specified work, situation, etc., but qualified stresses compliance with specified requirements a competent critic of modern art, a qualified voter

able Usage Examples

Adjective complement with noun phrase

  • have: They may not have family able to help them stay self-sufficient.

Modifying Another Word

  • therefore: None of the prospective tenants were therefore able to assess how easy or difficult it would be to afford a housing association rent.
  • now: We are now able to announce dates for trips to all the plays in this year's Theater West season.
  • finally: I placed the three crystals individually and was finally able to shake them free of the forceps.
  • thus: Rights holders are thus able to benefit from allowing use of their works [ 13 ] .
  • maybe: Not too sure how long they maybe able to manipulate the market tho.
  • not: At present we are not able to accept children under 5 years of age for reasons of insurance.

Infinitive complement

  • offer: How often would you be able to offer support to a child / family?
  • help: Some groups are able to help could you let me know how?
  • demonstrate: Q. What behavior do you expect a 1st placement student to be able to demonstrate in relation to the CPR skill?
  • get: You also won't be able to get pregnant.
  • do: The more people sign up, the more we'll be able to do to push the campaign forward.
  • see: You will not be able to see some of the stage.

Modifies a noun

  • student: The more able students can use the available contact time to look at the subject material in greater depth.
  • reader: The pilot focused on training for key staff from all schools on literacy skills across the curriculum and support for less able readers.
  • soldier: Karl was a popular and very able soldier whom I had recently promoted.
  • pen: A more able pen then mine deals with these early days and it only remains to fill in one or two items.

Used with adjective complement

  • feel: A short while after I went into hospital, the sessions folded, because no-one felt able to drive them along.
  • seem: Staff are friendly and even when it's busy we seem able to get a comfy seat.
  • become: What do they want to learn, to become able to do?

Browse dictionary entries near able

  1. ‹ ablaze
  2. ‹ ablaut
  3. ‹ ablative absolute
  4. ‹ ablative
  5. ‹ ablate
  6. ‹ ablactation
  7. ‹ abl
  8. ‹ Abkhazia
  9. ‹ abjure
  10. ‹ abjection
  1. able-bodied ›
  2. able-bodied seaman ›
  3. -able ›
  4. abloom ›
  5. abluent ›
  6. ablution ›
  7. ably ›
  8. -ably ›
  9. ABM ›
  10. Abnaki ›