capable

adjective

ca·​pa·​ble ˈkā-pə-bəl 

 in rapid speech  ˈkāp-bəl

1

: susceptible

a remark capable of being misunderstood

2

obsolete : comprehensive

3

: having attributes (such as physical or mental power) required for performance or accomplishment

is capable of intense concentration

4

: having traits conducive to or features permitting something

this woman is capable of murder by violence

—Robert Graves

5

: having legal right to own, enjoy, or perform

of my land … to make thee capable

—Shakespeare

6

: having or showing general efficiency and ability

a capable lawyer

a capable performance

capableness

ˈkā-pə-bəl-nəs 

noun

capably

ˈkā-pə-blē 

adverb

Synonyms

• able
• competent
• equal
• fit
• good
• qualified
• suitable

Examples of capable in a Sentence

a capable and efficient editor

Recent Examples on the Web

Every six months, re-evaluate it to add more tasks as your child grows and becomes more capable. —Dr. Jenny Woo, Contributor, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2024

Yet none of these experimental swings quite lands, because the thing Megalopolis needed most is what Coppola couldn’t conjure: enough years for technology to be capable—and popular opinion to shift in favor—of executing his most audacious ideas. —Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 27 Sep. 2024

Microfiber is also capable of repelling stains, liquid, and moisture. —Bestreviews, The Mercury News, 27 Sep. 2024

This suggested that something capable of causing infection might have traveled on the wind—so the team boarded a plane to find out. —Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle French or Late Latin; Middle French capable, from Late Latin capabilis, irregular from Latin capere to take — more at heave entry 1

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

capable

adjective

ca·​pa·​ble ˈkā-pə-bəl 

1

: having the qualities (as physical or mental power) to do or accomplish something

you are capable of better work

2

: having qualities or features permitting

a new train capable of very high speeds

3

: able to do one's job well : generally efficient

tries to hire capable people

capability

ˌkā-pə-ˈbil-ət-ē

noun

capably

ˈkā-pə-blē 

adverb