-able

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Etymology

From Middle English -able, borrowed from Old French -able, from Latin -ābilis, from -a- or -i- + -bilis ("capable or worthy of being acted upon"), from Proto-Indo-European - i-stem form *-dʰli- of *-dʰlom ("instrumental suffix").

Pronunciation

• (America) IPA: /ə.bl̩/

Suffix

1. An adjectival suffix; forms adjectives meaning:
   1. Able to be done; fit to be done.

      movable: able to be moved

      amendable: able to be amended

      breakable: liable to broken

      blamable: fit to be blamed

      salable: fit to be sold

   2. Relevant to or suitable to, in accordance with.

      fashionable: relevant to fashion

      seasonable: suitable to season

   3. Giving, or inclined to.

      pleasurable: giving pleasure

      peaceable: inclined to peace

   4. Subject to.

      reportable: subject to be reported

      taxable: subject to be taxed

   5. Due to be.

      payable: due to be paid

Related terms

• able
• ability
• -ability
• -worthy

Translations

• French: -able, -ible
• German: -bar, -abel (for words from Latin or Romance languages)
• Italian: -abile, -ibile, -evole
• Portuguese: -ável, -ível
• Russian: -яемый
• Spanish: -able, -ible

Translations

• Portuguese: -ável, -ível

Translations

• German: -wert

Translations

• French: -able

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