Enable — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /i-ˈnā-bəl/ en·able

Meaning & Definition of Enable

Enable (verb)

  1. to provide with the means or opportunity
  2. to make possible, practical, or easy
  3. to cause to operate

Enable (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to make able or possible

    "my new glasses enable me to read the fine print"

    similar: allow, empower, let, permit
    related: fit, habilitate, prepare, qualify, ready, approve, endorse, sanction, condition, equip
    opposite: prevent
    near: inhibit, preclude, disallow, enjoin, forbid, prohibit

  2. to give official or legal power to

    "a law that would enable the authorities to inspect food preparation areas for health code violations"

    similar: accredit, authorize, certify, charter (British), commission, empower, invest, license, qualify, vest, warrant
    related: approve, clear, credential, endorse, OK, sanction, affirm, confirm, validate, inaugurate, induct, initiate, install, instate, swear in, allow, let, permit, enfranchise, entitle, privilege
    opposite: disqualify
    near: ban, bar, block, constrain, deny, disallow, disbar, discourage, disenfranchise, disfranchise, exclude, hinder, hold back, impede, inhibit, obstruct, prevent, shut out, stop, enjoin, forbid, interdict, outlaw, prohibit, proscribe, veto

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Enable

The most common words with a similar meaning to Enable:

British: charter
allow, empower, let, permit, accredit, authorize, certify, commission, invest, license, qualify, vest, warrant

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Enable

Words with the opposite meaning of Enable:

prevent, disqualify

Related Words for Enable

fit, habilitate, prepare, ready, approve, endorse, sanction, condition, equip, clear, credential, OK, affirm, confirm, validate, inaugurate, induct, initiate, install, instate, swear in, enfranchise, entitle, privilege

Near Antonyms of Enable

inhibit, preclude, disallow, enjoin, forbid, prohibit, ban, bar, block, constrain, deny, disbar, discourage, disenfranchise, disfranchise, exclude, hinder, hold back, impede, obstruct, shut out, stop, interdict, outlaw, proscribe, veto

Word Forms of Enable

Inflections: enabled, enabling

Origin & Etymology of Enable

First known use: 15th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Enable

Frequently Asked Questions about Enable

What does "Enable" mean?

"Enable" means to provide with the means or opportunity. As a verb, it is defined as: to provide with the means or opportunity. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Enable"?

Other words for "Enable" include allow, empower, let, permit, accredit, authorize, certify and charter. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Enable" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Enable"?

There are 38 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Enable". Common alternatives include allow, empower, let, permit, accredit, authorize, certify, charter, commission and invest.

What is the opposite of "Enable"?

Antonyms of "Enable" include prevent and disqualify. Near antonyms include inhibit, preclude, disallow and enjoin.

How do you use "Enable" in a sentence?

Examples of "Enable" in a sentence: "my new glasses enable me to read the fine print"; "a law that would enable the authorities to inspect food preparation areas for health code violations".

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

"Enable" is a verb.

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

As a B2-level word, "Enable" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+. It is on the Academic Word List, so it appears often in IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, and university texts.

How do you pronounce "Enable"?

"Enable" is pronounced /i-ˈnā-bəl/ and divided into syllables as en·able.