operable

C2+ Topic:Describing Qualities

US /ˈɑpərəbəl/ UK /ˈɒpərəbəl/ See IPA manual

Meanings

1

adj
able to be used or operated; suitable for surgery

The surgeon confirmed the tumor was operable and scheduled the procedure.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 adj · able to be used or... usable workable functional practicable serviceable viable

Opposites

inoperableunworkableunusableimpracticable

Word family

Derived forms operabilityoperably

Related forms operate operation operative cooperate

Etymology

From Late Latin 'operabilis' ('that can be effected'), from Latin 'operari' ('to work'), from 'opus' (genitive 'operis', 'work').

operari Latin opus Latin

View etymology graph ->

Topics

Describing Qualities Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

# operable

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2+
**Part of speech:** adj
**IPA (US):** /ˈɑpərəbəl/
**IPA (UK):** /ˈɒpərəbəl/

## Meanings
1. able to be used or operated; suitable for surgery

## Examples
- The surgeon confirmed the tumor was operable and scheduled the procedure.

## Synonyms
- usable
- workable
- functional
- practicable
- serviceable
- viable

## Antonyms
- inoperable
- unworkable
- unusable
- impracticable

## Derived Forms
- operability
- operably

## Related Forms
- operate
- operation
- operative
- cooperate

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: operari
- Root: opus

## Etymology
From Late Latin 'operabilis' ('that can be effected'), from Latin 'operari' ('to work'), from 'opus' (genitive 'operis', 'work').

## AI Etymology
Operable comes from Late Latin 'operabilis' ('that can be effected'), from Latin 'operari' ('to work'), from 'opus' (genitive 'operis', 'work'). The form is best read as a historical transfer or inheritance, with its older language material carrying the main semantic load. As an adjective, it carries the sense "able to be used or operated; suitable for surgery", with the older formation still helping explain the modern use. Relevant historical forms include Latin operari and Latin opus. Derivative forms include operability, operably; related words include operate, operation, operative, cooperate.

## Topics
- Describing Qualities
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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