capable
adjective
ca·pa·ble
ˈkā-pə-bəl 
in rapid speech ˈkāp-bəl
1
: susceptible
a remark capable of being misunderstood
2
obsolete
: comprehensive
3
: having attributes (such as physical or mental power) required for performance or accomplishment
is capable of intense concentration
4
: having traits conducive to or features permitting something
This woman is capable of murder by violence …—
Robert Graves
Robert Graves5
: having legal right to own, enjoy, or perform
… of my land … I'll work the means / To make thee capable.—William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare6
: having or showing general efficiency and ability
a capable lawyer
a capable performance
Examples of capable in a Sentence
a capable and efficient editor
Recent Examples on the Web
Still, the researchers acknowledged that the system remains far less capable than even the simplest living cells.
—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
3 July 2026
The aircraft can carry more than 4,000 pounds (1,800 kilograms) and is capable of taking off and landing on short runways, according to the manufacturer.
—
ABC News,
3 July 2026
Demand for compact storage continues to rise as manufacturers build increasingly capable AI hardware into smaller form factors.
—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
3 July 2026
That skill mimics mortality, Lee said, with the Chinese firm calling it another step toward fully autonomous machines capable of working 24/7.
—
Leonard David,
Space.com,
3 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for capable
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show current usage.
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Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
3 July 2026
The aircraft can carry more than 4,000 pounds (1,800 kilograms) and is capable of taking off and landing on short runways, according to the manufacturer.
—
ABC News,
3 July 2026
Demand for compact storage continues to rise as manufacturers build increasingly capable AI hardware into smaller form factors.
—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
3 July 2026
That skill mimics mortality, Lee said, with the Chinese firm calling it another step toward fully autonomous machines capable of working 24/7.
—
Leonard David,
Space.com,
3 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for capable
Cite this Entry
“Capable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/capable. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
capable
adjective
ca·pa·ble
ˈkā-pə-bəl
1
: having the qualities (as physical or mental power) to do or accomplish something
you are capable of better work
2
: having qualities or features permitting
a new train capable of very high speeds
3
: able to do one's job well : generally efficient
tries to hire capable people
capability
noun
ˌkā-pə-ˈbil-ət-ē
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