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
China is also developing the Mengzhou crew spacecraft, which will not only be partially reusable and serve Tiangong but also be capable of sending astronauts to the moon.
—Andrew Jones, Space.com, 24 May 2026
Even with pumps capable of moving 40,000 gallons per minute, the storm exceeded the system’s legal capacity.
—Greg Bennett, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 May 2026
Containing Clark Clark is one of the most gifted offensive talents in the league, capable of making 3-pointers from the logo and throwing pinpoint passes to shooters in the corner.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 23 May 2026
Birds evolved a system capable of reading UV plumage signals invisible to us.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for capable
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Andrew Jones, Space.com, 24 May 2026
Even with pumps capable of moving 40,000 gallons per minute, the storm exceeded the system’s legal capacity.
—Greg Bennett, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 May 2026
Containing Clark Clark is one of the most gifted offensive talents in the league, capable of making 3-pointers from the logo and throwing pinpoint passes to shooters in the corner.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 23 May 2026
Birds evolved a system capable of reading UV plumage signals invisible to us.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 23 May 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 25 May. 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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