US /[ˈeɪ̯.bw]/ UK /ˈeɪ.bl̩/
adj Freq #470

Meanings

  1. 1
    adj

    having the power, skill, or chance to do something

    She is able to lift the box without any help.

  2. 2
    adj

    good at what you do; skilled and intelligent

    He is an able and respected lawyer.

Thesaurus

Synonyms
2 adj · good at what you do;... capablecompetent
Word family
Forms ablerablest
Derived forms abilityable-bodiedable-bodismable-bodyismable-bodyistable-mindedabledableismableistablenationalismablenationalistableness

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *gʰeh₁bʰ- Proto-Italic *haβēō Latin habeō Proto-Indo-European *-elis Proto-Italic *-elis Latin -ilis Latin habilis Old French ablebor. Middle English able English able 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.

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