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able definition

able (ā′bəl)

adjective abler a′bler (-blər), ablest 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

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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.

Infinitive complement

  • offer: How often would you be able to offer support to a child / family?

Modifies a noun

  • student: The more able students can use the available contact time to look at the subject material in greater depth.

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.
able usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

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"able." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/able>

APA Style

able. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/able

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