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 … to make thee capable—Shakespeare
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
That isn’t to say that the defense stack hasn’t grown more capable itself.
—Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
Crescent City is vulnerable because it is located near the southern end of the Cascadia Subduction Zone, a major fault line capable of producing dangerous tsunamis and intense earthquakes, according to the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network.
—Terry Collins, USA Today, 31 July 2025
Tsunami advisories mean that a tsunami capable of producing strong currents or waves dangerous to persons in or very near the water is expected or is already occurring.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 30 July 2025
These centers operate 24/7 and typically require massive amounts of electricity and massive amounts of water, causing many people to question whether Texas' grid is capable of meeting the demands these large loads have.
—Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for capable
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Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
Crescent City is vulnerable because it is located near the southern end of the Cascadia Subduction Zone, a major fault line capable of producing dangerous tsunamis and intense earthquakes, according to the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network.
—Terry Collins, USA Today, 31 July 2025
Tsunami advisories mean that a tsunami capable of producing strong currents or waves dangerous to persons in or very near the water is expected or is already occurring.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 30 July 2025
These centers operate 24/7 and typically require massive amounts of electricity and massive amounts of water, causing many people to question whether Texas' grid is capable of meeting the demands these large loads have.
—Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
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 Aug. 2025.
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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