capable

[key-puh-buhl]

adjective

1. having power and ability; efficient; competent.

   a capable instructor.

   Synonyms: accomplished, ingenious, skillful

capable

/ ˈkeɪpəbəl /

adjective

1. having ability, esp in many different fields; competent

2. able or having the skill (to do something)

   she is capable of hard work

3. having the temperament or inclination (to do something)

   he seemed capable of murder

Other Word Forms

• capableness noun
• capably adverb
• overcapable adjective
• quasi-capable adjective
• quasi-capably adverb
• supercapable adjective
• supercapableness noun
• supercapably adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of capable¹

First recorded in 1555–65; from Late Latin capābilis “intelligent, understandable,” apparently equivalent to cap(āx) “competent, fit, roomy” ( capacity ) + -ābilis able

Word History and Origins

Origin of capable¹

C16: from French, from Late Latin capābilis able to take in, from Latin capere to take

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. capable of,

   1. having the ability or capacity for.

      a man capable of judging art.

   2. open to the influence or effect of; susceptible of.

      a situation capable of improvement.

   3. predisposed to; inclined to.

      capable of murder.

Synonym Study

See able.

Example Sentences

Arsenal have always been capable of winning the title but have lacked consistency and were miles off it at the start of last year.

From BBC

The Jackdaw field – 150 miles east of Aberdeen – will be capable of producing 6% of the UK's gas needs.

From BBC

Knowing how capable I am of throwing myself into another human being, I’m not in a hurry to go out there and discover if I can survive another relationship.

From Los Angeles Times

“Through the years, Disney Theatrical Group has grown to be such an important part of how we bring Disney storytelling to the world, and it remains in incredibly capable hands,” Bergman said.

From Los Angeles Times

In English law, posts on social media can be deemed capable of prejudicing a jury - and therefore influencing the outcome of a trial.

From BBC

Related Words

• able 
• accomplished 
• adept 
• adequate 
• competent 
• efficient 
• experienced 
• gifted 
• good 
• intelligent 
• proficient 
• qualified 
• skillful 
• suited 
• talented