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to enable

to enable

459 2.3
To give someone the ability or chance to do something
  • verb
  • /ɪˈneɪbəl/
translation icon : permitir
  • A school in Andokope would enable students to study and work the fields.
  • enable people
  • enable access
  • enable users

It's humans doing this stuff that enables us to eat.

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Examples

  • You just live it and you enable others to live it, right.

  • System intelligence of this variety is absolutely necessary to enable one operator to control many aircraft.

    Academic text (2011)
  • So let's enable that and give that a try.

  • I believe that doing so enables me to learn.

  • So having this very hard deadline enabled me to get things done.

  • The school schedule should also enable them to select at least one ensemble class.

    Academic text (2011)
  • If it enables Robbie to get published then perhaps his financial position will improve.

  • Simple machine learning algorithms, such as discriminant analysis, will enable us to extract features from data.

    Academic text (2011)
  • The NICE guidelines recommend a number of tests that will enable clinicians to make a diagnosis.

    Academic text (2011)
  • The new software update will enable users to access features that were previously unavailable.

Synonyms

to allow
vsto enable
1.0

To let something happen or let someone do something

is passive noninterference rather than actively providing means or tools
to permit
vsto enable
531 1.5

To allow someone to do something

is rule-based consent rather than supplying resources or ability to act
to facilitate
vsto enable
  • Formal
187 4.9

To make a task or process easier and help it happen

helps by easing steps rather than actively providing ability or tools
to empower
vsto enable
157 4.2

Give someone the power and confidence to do something

focuses on granting means or opportunity rather than personal authority
to make it possible
vsto enable
88 2.4

To allow someone or something to do what they could not before

is the single-word action of giving means or opportunity
to capacitate
vsto enable
  • Formal
1 8.5

To give someone the skills or tools to do a job

is broader, focusing on giving means or opportunity not just equipment

Antonyms

87 3.5

Make a device or feature stop working

How Able

to empower
157 4.2
to enable
459 2.3
to facilitate
  • Formal
187 4.9
to permit
531 1.5
to allow
1.0

Surface Forms

enable infinitive
enabled past
enabled past participle
enabling present participle
enables third person singular

Morphology

enable = able (transparent) = en + able

Formed by productive prefix 'en-' meaning 'make' plus the adjective 'able', so the meaning 'make able' is directly inferable.

Etymology

Enable comes from the part en- ('to make') and the word able ('able' or 'having power'). So, to enable someone is to 'make' them 'able' — to give them the power, tools, or chance to do something.