English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
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adj

capable

KAY-puh-buhl
adj
1
Having the skill, ability, or qualities needed to do something well.
"She's a capable manager who keeps the whole team on track."
"The car is capable of reaching sixty miles per hour in under six seconds."

How to Use Capable

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAble to do something, usually well.

Common mistake

Followed by "of," not "to": "capable of winning," not "capable to win."

Common pairings
capable of highly capable a capable leader

Word Forms

more capable comparative, most capable superlative

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She's a _____ manager who keeps the whole team on track.

Etymology

From Middle French capable, from Late Latin capabilis — related to Latin capere ("to take, to hold"), the same root behind "capacity."

Antonyms

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Rhymes for capable

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial