able

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   (usually followed by `to') having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

   able to swim

2. 2
   adj

   having inherent physical or mental ability or capacity

   able to learn

3. 3
   adj

   have the skills and qualifications to do things well

   able teachers

4. 4
   adj

   having a strong healthy body

   an able seaman

5. 5
   adj

   Having the necessary powers or the needed resources to accomplish a task.

   She is able to lift the box without assistance.

6. 6
   adj

   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.

7. 7
   adj

   Gifted with skill, intelligence, knowledge, or competence.

   The chairman was also an able sailor.

8. 8
   adj

   Legally qualified or competent.

   He is able to practice law in six states.

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.