Added 7 October 2026
able
/ˈeɪ.bl̩/ adjective
In Latin: potis, potens, sanus Wiktionary
adjective Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about able at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
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Having the necessary powers or the needed resources to accomplish a task. .mw-parser-output .defdate{font-size:smaller}
She is able to lift the box without assistance.
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Free from constraints preventing completion of task; permitted to; not prevented from.
In a democratic world you'd be able to say what you thought wherever you were.
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Gifted with skill, intelligence, knowledge, or competence.
The chairman was also an able sailor.
verb
noun
Origin
From Middle English able, from Old Northern French able, variant of Old French abile, habile, from Latin habilis (“easily managed, held, or handled; apt; skillful”). Doublet of habile.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)