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capable Definition

ca·pable (kā′pə bəl)

adjective

having ability; able to do things well; skilled; competent

Etymology: Fr < LL capabilis < L capere, to take: see have

capable Related Forms

ca′·pable·ness noun ca′·pably adverb

capable Idioms

capable of

  1. susceptible of; admitting of; open to
  2. having the ability or qualities necessary for
  3. able or ready to capable of telling a lie

capable Synonyms

capable

modif.

proficient, competent, fitted; see able 1, 2, 3, intelligent 1. See syn. study at able.

capable Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • substantiation: Clause 7.2 Any information, claim or comparison must be capable of substantiation, which has to be proved on request.
  • feat: A single man, but no ordinary man, a Red-eye master attuned to the cosmic vibe, capable of amazing feats of melody.
  • knot: Fast minelayer said to be the fastest ship in the Navy at the time, capable of 40 knots.
  • cruelty: When we ignore the nourishment of our inner life, of our imagination, we become capable of extreme cruelty.
  • imaging: However, RDI is capable of imaging at 80 frames per second simultaneously onto two detectors for a 2-hour period.
  • speed: These boats are capable of sustained submerged speeds in excess of 25 knots.

Modifying Another Word

  • perfectly: The supporting cast are all perfectly capable in their roles too.
  • physically: For this reason, their practice should be energetic, warming, lightening, and stimulating, providing they are physically capable.
  • technically: Technically capable - from computers and ISDN lines to PA Systems and radio mics!

Adjective complement with noun phrase

  • build: This is because no funds had been allocated to build a system capable of reading the data.
  • develop: In 1966 Joseph Weizenbaum at MIT developed the first computer program capable of engaging in a conversation with a human Eliza.

Modifies a noun

  • hand: Leave the rest in God's very capable hands.
  • browser: This is certainly good news, RISC OS needs capable browsers.
  • defender: Kempson deputized for Cox in the 2-0 loss to Wolves in a recent friendly, and showed himself to be a capable defender.
  • aircraft: I flew Jaguars for many years but the Typhoon is an amazing and highly capable aircraft.

Used with adjective complement

  • seem: I was greeted on the door by a lad who barely seemed capable of speech.
  • prove: With this step, the CD at least proved capable of taking a look at itself in the mirror.
  • remain: Few women remained capable of a new idea after five and twenty, few men after thirty-one or two.
  • become: The " Go Long " plan envisages a gradual drawing down of US troops as Iraqi forces become more capable.
  • feel: He felt capable of managing the situation and spoke to the nursing staff, gynecology staff and the surgical registrar.