able — English Dictionary

Adjective

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

   Examples

   She is able to lift the box without assistance.

2. Free from constraints preventing completion of task; permitted to; not prevented from.

   Examples

   In a democratic world you'd be able to say what you thought wherever you were.

   I'll see you as soon as I'm able.

   More examples (1)

   With that obstacle removed, I am now able to proceed with my plan.

3. Gifted with skill, intelligence, knowledge, or competence.

   Examples

   The chairman was also an able sailor.

   More examples (1)

   Natures that haue much Heat, and great and violent deſires and Perturbations, are not ripe for Action, till they haue paſſed the Meridian of their yeares: As it was with Iulius Cæſar, and Septimius Seuerus. […] And yet he [Septimus Severus] was the Ableſt Emperour, almoſt, of all the Liſt.

   Urania speaks with darken’d brow: ⁠‘Thou pratest here where thou art least; ⁠This faith has many a purer priest, And many an abler voice than thou: […]’

4. Legally qualified or competent.

   Examples

   He is able to practice law in six states.

5. Capable of performing all the requisite duties; as an able seaman.

6. Having the physical strength; robust; healthy.

   Usage

   • dialectal
   • Obsolete

   Examples

   After the past week of forced marches, only half the men are fully able.

7. Easy to use.

   Usage

   • Obsolete

   Examples

   As the hands are the most habil parts of the body...

8. Suitable; competent.

   Usage

   • Obsolete

   Examples

   […] and for every able man servant that he or she shall carry or send armed and provided as aforesaid, ninety acres of land of like measure.

9. Liable to.

   Usage

   • dialectal
   • Obsolete

10. Rich; well-to-do.

    Usage

    • Obsolete

    Examples

    He was born to an able family.

Verb

1. To make ready.

   Usage

   • Obsolete
   • Transitive

2. To make capable; to enable.

   Usage

   • Obsolete
   • Transitive

3. To dress.

   Usage

   • Obsolete
   • Transitive

4. To give power to; to reinforce; to confirm.

   Usage

   • Obsolete
   • Transitive

5. To vouch for; to guarantee.

   Usage

   • Obsolete
   • Transitive

   Examples

   None does offend, none....I’ll able ’em.

Noun

1. The letter "A" in Navy Phonetic Alphabet.

   Usage

   • Uncountable

Adjective

1. (usually followed by ‘to’) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

   Antonyms

   unable

   Examples

   able to swim

   she was able to program her computer

   More examples (2)

   we were at last able to buy a car

   able to get a grant for the project

2. have the skills and qualifications to do things well

   Synonyms

   capable

   Examples

   able teachers

   a capable administrator

   More examples (1)

   children as young as 14 can be extremely capable and dependable

3. having inherent physical or mental ability or capacity

   Examples

   able to learn

   human beings are able to walk on two feet

   More examples (1)

   Superman is able to leap tall buildings

4. having a strong healthy body

   Synonyms

   able-bodied

   Examples

   an able seaman

   every able-bodied young man served in the army