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