a·ble (??b?l)adj. a·bler, a·blest 1. Having sufficient power or resources to accomplish something: a singer able to reach high notes; a detergent able to remove stains.2. Usage Problem Susceptible to action or treatment: The brakes were able to be fixed.3. Especially capable or proficient: The new programmers proved to be very able.[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin habilis, from hab?re, to handle; see ghabh- in Indo-European roots.]a?bly (??bl?) adv.Usage Note: The construction able to takes an infinitive to show the subject’s ability to accomplish something: We were able to finish the project thanks to a grant from a large corporation. The new submarine is able to dive twice as fast as the older model. Subjects to which people don’t ascribe active roles tend to sound awkward in this construction, especially in passive constructions involving forms of the verb be, as in The problem was able to be solved by using this new method. Here, the use of the passive underscores the subject’s not taking an active role, while the use of able suggests the opposite, creating a conflict. In our 2005 survey, only 24 percent of the Usage Panel accepted able in a sentence like this, though 54 percent accepted the use of capable instead (the problem was capable of being solved), suggesting that capable is less jarring. It may be easier just to substitute can or could, which are standard: The problem could be solved by using this new method.American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.able (?e?b?l) adj1. (postpositive) having the necessary power, resources, skill, time, opportunity, etc, to do something: able to swim. 2. capable; competent; talented: an able teacher. 3. (Law) law qualified, competent, or authorized to do some specific act[C14: ultimately from Latin habilis easy to hold, manageable, apt, from hab?re to have, hold + -ilis -ile]Collins English Dictionary ? Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014a?ble (?e? b?l) adj. a?bler, a?blest. 1. having the necessary power, skill, resources, or qualifications to do something: able to read music; not able to vote. 2. having or showing unusual talent, intelligence, skill, or knowledge: an able leader. [1275?1325; Middle English Able and capable are both used to say that someone can do something.If someone is able to do something, they can do it either because of their knowledge or skill, or because it is possible.If you use a past tense, you mean that someone has actually done something.If someone is capable of doing something, they have the knowledge and skill to do it.You can say that someone is capable of a particular feeling or action.You can also use capable of when you are talking about what something such as a car or machine can do.If you describe someone as able or capable, you mean that they do things well.
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-able or -iblesuff.1. Susceptible, capable, or worthy of a specified action: debatable.2. Inclined or given to a specified state or action: changeable.[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin -?bilis, -ibilis : -?- and -i-, thematic vowels + -bilis, adj. suff.]American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.-able suffix forming adjectives 1. capable of, suitable for, or deserving of (being acted upon as indicated): enjoyable; pitiable; readable; separable; washable. 2. inclined to; given to; able to; causing: comfortable; reasonable; variable. [via Old French from Latin -?bilis, -?bilis, forms of -bilis, adjectival suffix] -ably suffix forming adverbs -ability suffix forming nounsCollins English Dictionary ? Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014a?ble (?e? b?l) adj. a?bler, a?blest. 1. having the necessary power, skill, resources, or qualifications to do something: able to read music; not able to vote. 2. having or showing unusual talent, intelligence, skill, or knowledge: an able leader. [1275?1325; Middle English