able

Examples

• All

• We were able to purchase it three years ago.

  The Manchurian Candidate (1962)

• Standards describe what students should know and be able to do in specific grades and subjects.

  Academic text (2015)

• Kids need to be able to get in.

• You have to be able to do both.

• The device has to be able to play sound.

  WVFRM Podcast

• Have you ever been able to forgive them?

  Of Things Past (2023)

• Despite their presentation, both students were able to increase performance, no matter how subtle.

  Academic text (2015)

• We've been able to keep this in the family, so to speak.

  The China Syndrome (1979)

• Five mentors believed the youth participants were able to view leadership as important for their future.

  Academic text (2015)

• After practicing for months, she was finally able to speak fluent French.

Synonyms

C

capable

vsable

945 1.4

Able to do something well because of skill or training

includes also having power or opportunity to carry it out

Q

qualified

vsable

304 3.0

Having the skills and experience needed for a job

covers also having power or opportunity beyond job credentials

C

competent

vsable

114 3.6

Able to do a job well because of skill and knowledge

emphasizes having power or opportunity rather than successful performance

Antonyms

U

unable

809 1.0

Not having the skill, strength or things needed to do something

I

incapable

162 3.4

Not able to do or experience something

Compounds

W

willing and able

15 3.5

Being ready to do something and having what is needed to do it

A

able seaman

• Jargon

1 7.1

A sailor who is trained and has a certificate to work on a ship's deck

A

able-bodied seaman

• Jargon

1 6.6

A trained, skilled sailor on a merchant ship who helps with navigation and lifeboats

D

differently able worker

3.7

A person who has a disability and works or looks for work, bringing different skills

A

able-bodied seawoman

• Jargon

9.0

A woman sailor on a merchant ship who is fully trained in deck and safety duties

A

able-bodism

9.9

Treating people with disabilities worse than people without disabilities

A

able seawoman

• Jargon

8.6

A woman sailor trained and qualified for special duties on a ship

A

able-bodied sailor

• Jargon

5.4

A person on a ship who is fully trained to do all normal jobs

How Capable

expert

3 3.5

skilled

172 3.5

able

∞ 1.0

competent

114 3.6

Surface Forms

Etymology