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 
;ablest
ˈā-b(ə-)ləst
: marked by intelligence, knowledge, skill, or competence
;ablest
ˈā-b(ə-)ləst
: marked by intelligence, knowledge, skill, or competence
an able administrator
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
Synonyms
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
Lorenzino Estrada, The Arizona Republic, 22 Nov. 2024
Crews have not been able to safely walk on the bridge's deck to inspect damage and instead have relied on less hands-on tools such as drones.
—Bebe Hodges, The Enquirer, 22 Nov. 2024
The city is not able to further comment because of the ongoing litigation, Mayor Kara King said at the meeting.
—Vivien Ayers, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
Viewers will be able to watch and shop the content collaborations on the TalkShop.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 21 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for able 
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Adjective
The bomb, set to explode once a certain altitude had been reached, caused a fire, but the plane was able to land safely.
2001: Microsoft released its first Xbox video game console.
—Lorenzino Estrada, The Arizona Republic, 22 Nov. 2024
Crews have not been able to safely walk on the bridge's deck to inspect damage and instead have relied on less hands-on tools such as drones.
—Bebe Hodges, The Enquirer, 22 Nov. 2024
The city is not able to further comment because of the ongoing litigation, Mayor Kara King said at the meeting.
—Vivien Ayers, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
Viewers will be able to watch and shop the content collaborations on the TalkShop.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 21 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for able
Dictionary Entries Near able
Cite this Entry
“Able.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/able. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
able
1 of 2 adjective
abler
-b(ə-)lər
; ablest
-b(ə-)ləst
; ablest
-b(ə-)ləst
-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"
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