able

1 of 2

adjective

1
a
: having sufficient power, skill, or resources to do something
able to solve a problem
b
: having the freedom or opportunity to do something
hopes to be able to visit soon
c
: having a quality or nature that makes something possible
a car able to hold five people
: susceptible to some action or treatment
a shoe able to be repaired
2
abler ˈā-b(ə-)lər How to pronounce able (audio) ;ablest ˈā-b(ə-)ləst How to pronounce able (audio) : marked by intelligence, knowledge, skill, or competence
an able administrator

-able

2 of 2

adjective suffix

variants or less commonly -ible
1
: capable of, fit for, or worthy of (being so acted upon or toward)
chiefly in adjectives derived from verbs
breakable
collectible
2
: tending, given, or liable to
agreeable
perishable
-ably adverb suffix
or less commonly -ibly

Examples of able in a Sentence

Adjective He will buy a new car as soon as he is able. He turned out to be an able editor. She is one of the ablest lawyers in the firm.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
But after giving running a sincere go for the last five months—and making a few small (but key) tweaks—I’m able to log five, even 10, miles nonstop. Jenna Ryu, SELF, 22 Mar. 2024 But for obvious reasons the twins rarely tailored the lyrics toward autobiography in the same way Carlile was able to. Chris Willman, Variety, 22 Mar. 2024 At trial, Trump’s attorneys may well be able to present him, too, as an old man with mental impairments that undermine the prosecution’s proof of willfulness. Jeannie Suk Gersen, The New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2024 Workers able to use AI have become the hottest commodity on the labor market, with companies across most sectors scrambling for workers since the explosion of ChatGPT. Byryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 22 Mar. 2024 Trump likely won't be able to use the stock to get a loan, either. Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2024 Lombard said evidence suggests drought could change the water’s flow path to a well and also alter its oxygen and the pH levels, affecting the amount of arsenic able to dissolve into the water. Laura Paddison, CNN, 22 Mar. 2024 People who pay taxes that contribute directly to the quality of the parks should be able to get first dibs in vacationing to those parks. Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press, 22 Mar. 2024 Attendees will be able to ask the photographers questions. The Courier-Journal, 22 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'able.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English able, abill, borrowed from Anglo-French, going back to Latin habilis "easily handled or adjusted, adaptable," from habēre "to have, hold" + -ilis, alteration (by haplology before labial consonants) of -ibilis -ible — more at give entry 1

Adjective suffix

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French and Middle French, going back to Latin -ābilis, -ibilis, from -ā-, -i- (thematic vowels of various conjugations of verbs) + -bilis "capable (of acting) or worthy of (being acted upon)," going back to pre-Latin *-dhl-is, adjective suffix formed from the instrumental noun suffix *-dhl-om (whence Latin -bulum)

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of able was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near able

Cite this Entry

“Able.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/able. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

able

1 of 2 adjective
abler -b(ə-)lər How to pronounce able (audio) ; ablest -b(ə-)ləst How to pronounce able (audio)
1
a
: having enough power, skill, or resources to do something
able to swim
b
: not prevented
able to vote
2

-able

2 of 2 adjective suffix
variants also -ible
ə-bəl
1
: capable of, fit for, or worthy of being
collectible
2
: tending, given, or likely to
perishable
agreeable
Etymology

Adjective

Middle English able "able," from early French able (same meaning), from Latin habilis "easily managed, skillful," from habēre "to have"

Adjective suffix

derived from Latin -abilis, -ibilis "-able"

Legal Definition

able

adjective
1
: possessed of needed powers or of needed resources to accomplish an objective
able to perform under the contract
2
: having freedom from restriction or obligation or from conditions preventing an action
able to vote
3
: legally qualified : possessed of legal competence
able to inherit property

More from Merriam-Webster on able

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