• IPA: /ˈeɪ.bəl/, [ˈeɪ̯.bɫ̩]
• (L-vocalization) IPA: [ˈeɪ̯.bw]

From Middle English able, from fro-nor able, variant of Old French abile, habile, from Latin habilis, from habeō + -ibilis.

Broadly ousted the native Old English magan.

able (comparative abler, superlative ablest)

1. Having the necessary powers or the needed resources to accomplish a task. [First attested from around (1350 to 1470).]
2. Free from constraints preventing completion of task; permitted to; not prevented from. [First attested from around (1350 to 1470).]

   I’ll see you as soon as I’m able.

   With that obstacle removed, I am now able to proceed with my plan.

   I’m only able to visit you when I have other work here.

   That cliff is able to be climbed.

3. Gifted with skill, intelligence, knowledge, or competence. [First attested in the mid 16^th century.]

   The chairman was also an able sailor.

   • 1625, Francis [Bacon], “Of Youth and Age. XLII.”, in The Essayes […], 3rd edition, London: […] Iohn Haviland for Hanna Barret, →OCLC ↗, pages 247–248 ↗:

     Natures that haue much Heat, and great and violent deſires and Perturbations, are not ripe for Action, till they haue paſſed the Meridian of their yeares: As it was with Iulius Cæſar, and Septimius Seuerus. […] And yet he [Septimus Severus] was the Ableſt Emperour, almoſt, of all the Liſt.

   • 1850, [Alfred, Lord Tennyson], In Memoriam, London: Edward Moxon, […], →OCLC ↗, Canto XXXVII, page 57 ↗:

     Urania speaks with darken’d brow:
     ⁠‘Thou pratest here where thou art least;
     ⁠This faith has many a purer priest,
     And many an abler voice than thou: […] ’

4. (law) Legally qualified or competent. [First attested in the early 18^th century.]

   He is able to practice law in six states.

5. (nautical) Capable of performing all the requisite duties; as an able seaman. [First attested in the late 18^th century.]
6. (obsolete, dialectal) Having the physical strength; robust; healthy. [First attested from around (1350 to 1470).]

   After the past week of forced marches, only half the men are fully able.

7. (obsolete) Easy to use. [Attested from around (1350 to 1470) until the mid 18^th century.]
8. (obsolete) Suitable; competent. [Attested from around (1350 to 1470) until the late 18^th century.]
9. (obsolete, dialectal) Liable to. [First attested from around (1350 to 1470).]
10. (obsolete) Rich; well-to-do. [Attested from the mid 16^th century until the late 19^th century.]

    He was born to an able family.

• See also Thesaurus:skillful

• -able, -ible

• French: capable
• German: imstande, fähig
• Italian: capace
• Portuguese: possível, permitido
• Russian: в состояние
• Spanish: capaz

• French: capable, expérimenté
• German: fähig, tüchtig
• Italian: abile
• Portuguese: capaz, hábil
• Russian: спосо́бный
• Spanish: diestro, hábil, capaz

• French: habilité
• German: kompetent
• Portuguese: competente
• Russian: компете́нтный
• Spanish: competente

From Middle English ablen, from Middle English able (adjective).

able (ables, present participle abling; simple past and past participle abled)

1. (transitive, obsolete) To make ready. [Attested from around (1150 to 1350) until the late 16^th century.]
2. (transitive, obsolete) To make capable; to enable. [Attested from around (1350 to 1470) until the late 19^th century.]
3. (transitive, obsolete) To dress. [Attested from around (1350 to 1470) until the late 15^th century.]
4. (transitive, obsolete) To give power to; to reinforce; to confirm. [Attested from around (1350 to 1470) until the mid 17^th century.]
5. (transitive, obsolete) To vouch for; to guarantee. [Attested from the late 16^th century until the early 17^th century.]
   • c. 1603–1606, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of King Lear”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC ↗, [Act IV, scene vi]:

     None does offend, none....I’ll able ’em.

From the first letter of the word.

able (uncountable)

1. (military) The letter "A" in Joint_Army/Navy_Phonetic_Alphabet.

1. (World War II era, joint US/RAF) radiotelephony clear-code word for the letter A.

   Synonyms: Alfa

1. Surname.