ABLE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does able mean? 

• ABLE (adjective)
  The adjective ABLE has 4 senses:

1. (usually followed by 'to') having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

2. have the skills and qualifications to do things well

3. having inherent physical or mental ability or capacity

4. having a strong healthy body

  Familiarity information: ABLE used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• ABLE (adjective)

Comparative: abler   
Superlative: ablest   

Sense 1

Meaning:

(usually followed by 'to') having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

Context example:

able to get a grant for the project

Attribute:

ability (the quality of being able to perform; a quality that permits or facilitates achievement or accomplishment)

ability; power (possession of the qualities (especially mental qualities) required to do something or get something done)

Antonym:

unable ((usually followed by 'to') not having the necessary means or skill or know-how)

Derivation:

ability (the quality of being able to perform; a quality that permits or facilitates achievement or accomplishment)

ability (possession of the qualities (especially mental qualities) required to do something or get something done)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Have the skills and qualifications to do things well

Synonyms:

able; capable

Context example:

children as young as 14 can be extremely capable and dependable

Similar:

competent (properly or sufficiently qualified or capable or efficient)

Derivation:

ability (the quality of being able to perform; a quality that permits or facilitates achievement or accomplishment)

ability (possession of the qualities (especially mental qualities) required to do something or get something done)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Having inherent physical or mental ability or capacity

Context example:

Superman is able to leap tall buildings

Similar:

capable ((usually followed by 'of') having capacity or ability)

Derivation:

ability (the quality of being able to perform; a quality that permits or facilitates achievement or accomplishment)

ability (possession of the qualities (especially mental qualities) required to do something or get something done)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Having a strong healthy body

Synonyms:

able; able-bodied

Context example:

every able-bodied young man served in the army

Similar:

fit (physically and mentally sound or healthy)

 Context examples 

The wound upon the dead man was, as I was able to determine with absolute confidence, fired from a revolver at the distance of something over four yards.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

But it was only at rare moments that Martin was able to think.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

He had at least five small refuges in different parts of London, in which he was able to change his personality.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

For instance, your friend might be your roommate and not be able to pay this month’s rent.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

We rowed, by my computation, about three leagues, till we were able to work no longer, being already spent with labour while we were in the ship.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

Here again I found the tally agreeing exactly; the carriers' men were able to supplement the paucity of the written words with a few details.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

I shall be able to appreciate the lives of the working people hereafter.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

And camp they did, till Buck’s ribs knitted and he was able to travel.

(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)

I submitted; and, with a countenance as expressive as I was able to make it of dejected and despairing constancy, came out of the room.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Pray step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you everything which you would wish to know.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)