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able

a·ble
A a

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [ey-buh l]
    • /ˈeɪ bəl/
    • /ˈeɪbl/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [ey-buh l]
    • /ˈeɪ bəl/

Definitions of able word

  • adjective able Someone who is able is very clever or very good at doing something. 3
  • adjective able having the necessary power, resources, skill, time, opportunity, etc, to do something 3
  • adjective able capable; competent; talented 3
  • adjective able qualified, competent, or authorized to do some specific act 3
  • adjective able having enough power, skill, etc. to do something 3
  • adjective able having much power of mind; skilled; talented 3

Information block about the term

Origin of able

First appearance:

before 1275
One of the 13% oldest English words
1275-1325; Middle English < Middle French < Latin habilis handy, equivalent to hab(ēre) to have, hold + -ilis -ile

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Able

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

able popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 98% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".

able usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for able

adj able

  • good — Graph-Oriented Object Database
  • adept — Someone who is adept at something can do it skilfully.
  • capable — If a person or thing is capable of doing something, they have the ability to do it.
  • apt — An apt remark, description, or choice is especially suitable.
  • competent — Someone who is competent is efficient and effective.

adjective able

  • practised — skilled or expert; proficient through practice or experience: a practiced hand at politics.
  • healthy — possessing or enjoying good health or a sound and vigorous mentality: a healthy body; a healthy mind.
  • able-bodied — An able-bodied person is physically strong and healthy, rather than being weak or having a disability.

verb able

  • fit — adapted or suited; appropriate: This water isn't fit for drinking. A long-necked giraffe is fit for browsing treetops.

Antonyms for able

adj able

  • incompetent — not competent; lacking qualification or ability; incapable: an incompetent candidate.
  • unskilled — of or relating to workers who lack technical training or skill.
  • unsuitable — not suitable; inappropriate; unfitting; unbecoming.
  • inadequate — not adequate or sufficient; inept or unsuitable.
  • incapable — not capable.

adjective able

Top questions with able

  • how many pushups should i be able to do?
  • how much should i be able to bench?
  • how much should i be able to squat?
  • what species is able to live on bare rock?
  • which would stop a plant from being able to grow?
  • why were the allies able to withstand german assaults?
  • now to him who is able?
  • how to be able to run longer?
  • how long should i be able to hold my breath?
  • how were scholars able to translate hieroglyphic symbols?
  • how much should i be able to deadlift?
  • what does the suffix able mean?
  • when are babies able to see?
  • how are anthropologists able to make generalizations about human behavior?
  • how to be able to do push ups?

See also

Matching words

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