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
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
Staff Author, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
Now, with the help of AI, businesses will be better able to fundamentally change how cross-functional teams operate.
—François Candelon, Fortune, 31 Oct. 2025
More than half of investors surveyed by JLL have been able to get significant budget growth over the past two years in the space.
—Diana Olick, CNBC, 31 Oct. 2025
Unlike past tours, the public will not be able to visit the ground floor, which features the Vermeil Room, the China Room and the library, as they are now being used by the first lady’s office, Clemens told USA TODAY.
—Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for able
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show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Adjective
Conversely, first responders wouldn’t be able to see what's going on inside the aircraft.
—Staff Author, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
Now, with the help of AI, businesses will be better able to fundamentally change how cross-functional teams operate.
—François Candelon, Fortune, 31 Oct. 2025
More than half of investors surveyed by JLL have been able to get significant budget growth over the past two years in the space.
—Diana Olick, CNBC, 31 Oct. 2025
Unlike past tours, the public will not be able to visit the ground floor, which features the Vermeil Room, the China Room and the library, as they are now being used by the first lady’s office, Clemens told USA TODAY.
—Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for able
Cite this Entry
“Able.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/able. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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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