operable

adjective

op·​er·​a·​ble ˈä-p(ə-)rə-bəl How to pronounce operable (audio)
1
: fit, possible, or desirable to use : practicable
2
: likely to result in a favorable outcome upon surgical treatment
an operable cancer
operably adverb

Examples of operable in a Sentence

The radio is operable without the car running. the historic wooden ship has been fully restored and is once again an operable seafaring vessel
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
While the games are only operable while the car is in park, that hasn’t stopped driving safety advocates from raising concerns. Kevin Williams, Quartz, 2 Apr. 2025 Provide access to outdoor spaces and other sources of biophilia, including natural light and air, through operable windows. Sharron Van Der Meulen, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025 Other disconcerting maladies included non-operable windshield wipers and a flickering water-temperature gauge. Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 1 Apr. 2025 Before me was an operable, openable window — what might be the first of its kind in a new office in midtown since 1961. Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 27 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for operable

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Late Latin operābilis "active, efficacious," from operārī "to work, be efficacious" + Latin -ābilis -able — more at operate

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of operable was in 1646

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Operable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/operable. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

operable

adjective
op·​er·​a·​ble ˈäp-(ə-)rə-bəl How to pronounce operable (audio)
1
: fit, possible, or desirable to use
2
: likely to have a favorable result upon surgical treatment
an operable cancer

Medical Definition

operable

adjective
op·​er·​a·​ble ˈäp-(ə-)rə-bəl How to pronounce operable (audio)
1
: fit, possible, or desirable to use
2
: likely to result in a favorable outcome upon surgical treatment
operability noun
plural operabilities
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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