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
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
Zachary McMahon, Boston Herald, 20 Sep. 2025
But part of the game is being able to work through those difficult times.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 20 Sep. 2025
Thus far, Team Europe has been able to accomplish that feat much more frequently than Team World — and holds an all-time 5-2 edge in Laver Cup play.
—Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 20 Sep. 2025
Being able to overcome the injury suffered by Clark, in addition to season-ending injuries to Sophie Cunningham, Aari McDonald, Sydney Colson, and Chloe Bibby, is impressive.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for able
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Adjective
The Red Rocketeers were able to stop the Tigers from scoring early in the game by a fumble recovery by captain Nathan Rivera, and also secured a last-second interception by Frankie Strachan on a Hail Mary attempt by Tigers QB Dylan Keenan.
—Zachary McMahon, Boston Herald, 20 Sep. 2025
But part of the game is being able to work through those difficult times.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 20 Sep. 2025
Thus far, Team Europe has been able to accomplish that feat much more frequently than Team World — and holds an all-time 5-2 edge in Laver Cup play.
—Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 20 Sep. 2025
Being able to overcome the injury suffered by Clark, in addition to season-ending injuries to Sophie Cunningham, Aari McDonald, Sydney Colson, and Chloe Bibby, is impressive.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for able
Cite this Entry
“Able.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/able. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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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