Able-bodied — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˌā-bəl-ˈbä-dēd/ able-bod·ied

Meaning & Definition of Able-bodied

Able-bodied (adjective)

  1. having a sound strong body

Able-bodied (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  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-bodied seaman (noun)

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

  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-bodied. The synonyms below are for able-bodied seamen, not for able-bodied.

  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-bodied

The most common words with a similar meaning to Able-bodied:

bouncing, fit, hale, healthy, hearty, robust, sound, well, well-conditioned, whole, wholesome, in fine fettle, in shape, in the pink

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Able-bodied

Words with the opposite meaning of Able-bodied:

ailing, diseased, ill, sick, unfit, unhealthy, unsound, unwell

Related Words for Able-bodied

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

Near Antonyms of Able-bodied

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

Origin & Etymology of Able-bodied

First known use: 1600

Words & Phrases Containing Able-bodied

able-bodied seaman

Frequently Asked Questions about Able-bodied

What does "Able-bodied" mean?

"Able-bodied" means having a sound strong body. As an adjective, it is defined as: having a sound strong body.

What is another word for "Able-bodied"?

Other words for "Able-bodied" include bouncing, fit, hale, healthy, hearty, robust, sound and well. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Able-bodied" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Able-bodied"?

There are 44 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Able-bodied". Common alternatives include bouncing, fit, hale, healthy, hearty, robust, sound, well, well-conditioned and whole.

What is the opposite of "Able-bodied"?

Antonyms of "Able-bodied" include ailing, diseased, ill, sick, unfit, unhealthy, unsound and unwell. Near antonyms include decrepit, enfeebled, feeble and infirm.

How do you use "Able-bodied" in a sentence?

Examples of "Able-bodied" in a sentence: "every able-bodied young man in the village had been sent off to fight in the war".

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

"Able-bodied" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Able-bodied"?

"Able-bodied" is pronounced /ˌā-bəl-ˈbä-dēd/ and divided into syllables as able-bod·ied.

What is the origin of the word "Able-bodied"?

First known use: 1600.