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
Synonyms
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
Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024
Being able to score in the red zone is hugely important in flag football, Ramirez said, but the Indians failed to score in the red zone three times.
—Lou Ponsi, Orange County Register, 9 Nov. 2024
Both Plaza and Stella play Elliott at different ages but are able to meet when young Elliott (Stella) is on a shroom trip.
—Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024
This means these satellites would be able to relay data to Earth and other spacecraft across vast stretches of space, likely through Starlink's laser communication system.
—Michael Kan, PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for able 
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Adjective
George Kittle On the ugly game: Being able to deal with all of that and still come out with a win.
—Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024
Being able to score in the red zone is hugely important in flag football, Ramirez said, but the Indians failed to score in the red zone three times.
—Lou Ponsi, Orange County Register, 9 Nov. 2024
Both Plaza and Stella play Elliott at different ages but are able to meet when young Elliott (Stella) is on a shroom trip.
—Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024
This means these satellites would be able to relay data to Earth and other spacecraft across vast stretches of space, likely through Starlink's laser communication system.
—Michael Kan, PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for able
Dictionary Entries Near able
Cite this Entry
“Able.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/able. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
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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