-able

Meaning

1. An adjectival suffix; forms adjectives meaning:
2. An adjectival suffix; forms adjectives meaning:
3. An adjectival suffix; forms adjectives meaning:
4. An adjectival suffix; forms adjectives meaning:
5. An adjectival suffix; forms adjectives meaning:

Synonyms

-ible

able

can

may

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ə.bl̩/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: -able

In summary

From Middle English -able, borrowed from Old French -able, from Latin -ābilis, from -a- or -i- + -bilis (“capable or worthy of being acted upon”), from Proto-Indo-European i-stem form *-dʰli- of *-dʰlom (“instrumental suffix”). Not closely related etymologically, though currently related semantically, to able. Displaced native Old English -endlīc.