able
Meaning
-
- Having the necessary powers or the needed resources to accomplish a task.
- Free from constraints preventing completion of task; permitted to; not prevented from.
- Gifted with skill, intelligence, knowledge, or competence.
- Legally qualified or competent.
- Capable of performing all the requisite duties; as an able seaman.
- (obsolete) Having the physical strength; robust; healthy.
- (obsolete) Easy to use.
- (obsolete) Suitable; competent.
- (obsolete) Liable to.
- (obsolete) Rich; well-to-do.
Frequency
Pronounced as (IPA)
/ˈeɪ.bəl/
Etymology
From Middle English able, from Old Northern French able, variant of Old French abile, habile, from Latin habilis (“easily managed, held, or handled; apt; skillful”), from habeō (“have, possess”) + -ibilis. Broadly ousted the native Old English magan.
Improve your pronunciation
Start learning English with learnfeliz.
Practice speaking and memorizing "able" and many other words and sentences in English.
Go to our English course page