Able — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈā-bəl/

Meaning & Definition of Able

Able (adjective)

  1. having sufficient power, skill, or resources to do something
  2. having the freedom or opportunity to do something
  3. having a quality or nature that makes something possible, susceptible to some action or treatment

Able (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. having the required skills for an acceptable level of performance

    "looking for an able and reliable assistant"

    similar: capable, competent, equal, fit, good, qualified, suitable, on the ball
    related: accomplished, ace, adept, experienced, expert, master, masterful, masterly, practiced, proficient, seasoned, skilled, skillful, veteran, overqualified, prepared, schooled, trained, apt, ready, willing, all-around, protean, versatile
    opposite: incompetent, inept, poor, unfit, unfitted, unqualified
    near: inexperienced, inexpert, unseasoned, unskilled, unskillful, unprepared, unschooled, untrained, beginning, green, new, raw, untested, untried

Related Entry: Able-bodied (adjective)

Able-bodied is a different word from Able. The synonyms below are for able-bodied, not for able.

  1. enjoying health and vigor

    "every able-bodied young man in the village had been sent off to fight in the war"

    similar: bouncing, fit, hale, healthy, hearty, robust, sound, well, well-conditioned, whole, wholesome, in fine fettle, in shape, in the pink
    related: hard, hardy, iron, lusty, rugged, stalwart, strong, sturdy, tough, ambulatory, nondisabled, uncrippled, active, agile, chipper, lively, sprightful, sprightly, spry, vigorous, vital, blooming, clean-cut, flourishing, flush, prospering, thriving, all right, good, right
    opposite: ailing, diseased, ill, sick, unfit, unhealthy, unsound, unwell
    near: decrepit, enfeebled, feeble, infirm, run-down, sickened, sickly, weak, weakened, weakly, worn-out, debilitated, differently abled, disabled, incapacitated, delicate, fragile, frail, emaciated, gaunt, haggard, malnourished, undernourished, afflicted, troubled, bad, poorly

Related Entry: Able seaman (noun)

Able seaman is a different word from Able. The synonyms below are for able seaman, not for able.

  1. as in lubber, able-bodied seaman

    similar: able-bodied seaman, lubber, coxswain, crewman, deckhand, shipmate, powerboater, sailboater, gob, hearty, jack, jack-tar, mariner, navigator, sailor, salt, sea dog, seafarer, seaman, shipman, swab, swabbie (slang), tar, lime-juicer (slang), limey (slang)

Related Entry: Able seamen (noun)

Able seamen is a different word from Able. The synonyms below are for able seamen, not for able.

  1. as in lubbers, able-bodied seamen

    similar: able-bodied seamen, lubbers, coxswains, crewmen, deckhands, shipmates, powerboaters, sailboaters, gobs, hearties, jacks, jack-tars, mariners, navigators, sailors, salts, sea dogs, seafarers, seamen, shipmen, swabbies (slang), swabs, tars, lime-juicers (slang), limeys (slang)

Related Entry: Able-bodied seaman (noun)

Able-bodied seaman is a different word from Able. The synonyms below are for able-bodied seaman, not for able.

  1. as in lubber, able seaman

    similar: able seaman, lubber, coxswain, crewman, deckhand, shipmate, powerboater, sailboater, gob, hearty, jack, jack-tar, mariner, navigator, sailor, salt, sea dog, seafarer, seaman, shipman, swab, swabbie (slang), tar, lime-juicer (slang), limey (slang)

Related Entry: Able-bodied seamen (noun)

Able-bodied seamen is a different word from Able. The synonyms below are for able-bodied seamen, not for able.

  1. as in lubbers, able seamen

    similar: able seamen, lubbers, coxswains, crewmen, deckhands, shipmates, powerboaters, sailboaters, gobs, hearties, jacks, jack-tars, mariners, navigators, sailors, salts, sea dogs, seafarers, seamen, shipmen, swabbies (slang), swabs, tars, lime-juicers (slang), limeys (slang)

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Able

The most common words with a similar meaning to Able:

capable, competent, equal, fit, good, qualified, suitable, on the ball

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Able

Words with the opposite meaning of Able:

incompetent, inept, poor, unfit, unfitted, unqualified

Related Words for Able

accomplished, ace, adept, experienced, expert, master, masterful, masterly, practiced, proficient, seasoned, skilled, skillful, veteran, overqualified, prepared, schooled, trained, apt, ready, willing, all-around, protean, versatile

Near Antonyms of Able

inexperienced, inexpert, unseasoned, unskilled, unskillful, unprepared, unschooled, untrained, beginning, green, new, raw, untested, untried

Origin & Etymology of Able

Middle English able, abill, borrowed from Anglo-French, going back to Latin habilis "easily handled or adjusted, adaptable," from habēre "to have, hold" + -ilis, alteration (by haplology before labial consonants) of -ibilis -ible give:1

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Able

Words & Phrases Containing Able

-able, able-bodied, able-bodied seaman, able seaman

Frequently Asked Questions about Able

What does "Able" mean?

"Able" means having sufficient power, skill, or resources to do something. As an adjective, it is defined as: having sufficient power, skill, or resources to do something.

What is another word for "Able"?

Other words for "Able" include capable, competent, equal, fit, good, qualified, suitable and on the ball. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Able" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Able"?

There are 32 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Able". Common alternatives include capable, competent, equal, fit, good, qualified, suitable and on the ball.

What is the opposite of "Able"?

Antonyms of "Able" include incompetent, inept, poor, unfit, unfitted and unqualified. Near antonyms include inexperienced, inexpert, unseasoned and unskilled.

How do you use "Able" in a sentence?

Examples of "Able" in a sentence: "looking for an able and reliable assistant".

Is "Able" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Able" is an adjective.

Is "Able" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A1-level word, "Able" is typical of Cambridge A1 Movers (Young Learners), TOEIC Listening & Reading 120+.

How do you pronounce "Able"?

"Able" is pronounced /ˈā-bəl/.