The meaning of ABLE is having sufficient power, skill, or resources to do something. How to use able in a sentence.

a•ble (ˈeɪ bəl) 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, …

ABLE meaning: 1. to have the necessary physical strength, mental power, skill, time, money, or opportunity to do…. Learn more.

a suffix meaning “capable of, susceptible of, fit for, tending to, given to,” associated in meaning with the word able, occurring in loanwords from Latin (laudable); used in English as a highly productive suffix …

Dec 19, 2025 · able (comparative abler, superlative ablest) Having the necessary powers or the needed resources to accomplish a task. [First attested from around (1350 to 1470).]

There are 15 meanings listed in OED's entry for the word able, seven of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

able is an adjective that usually comes after some form of be, ably is an adverb, ability is a noun: John is able to run fast. He did the work ably and efficiently.

ABLE definition: having necessary power, skill, resources, or qualifications; qualified. See examples of able used in a sentence.

Come for a visit when you are able (to). Will you be able to visit soon? We were able to leave at noon. He turned out to be an able editor/leader/soldier. She is one of the ablest lawyers in the firm.

To be able is to have the skill, knowledge, or permission to do something. Able is an adjective that describes the ability to do a particular thing, like your friend who's able to ride a motorcycle and your …