able
word
/ˈeɪbəɫ/
AY-buhl
/ˈeɪbəl/
AY-buhl
Definition
Able means having the power, skill, or opportunity to do something.
Usage & Nuances
'Able' is usually used with 'to' plus a verb ('able to swim'). It is more formal than 'can' and often used in written English. It can also mean 'skilled' in some phrases ('an able student'). Avoid saying 'able to can'—choose one form.
Spanish: capaz - habilidosoPortuguese (BR): capaz - habilidosoPortuguese (PT): capaz - habilidosoChinese (Simplified): 能够 - 有能力Chinese (Traditional): 能夠 - 有能力Hindi: सक्षम - योग्यArabic: قادر - مؤهلBengali: সমর্থ - সক্ষমRussian: способный - могущийJapanese: できるVietnamese: có thể - giỏiKorean: 할 수 있는 - 유능한Turkish: yetenekli - yapabilenUrdu: قابل - اہلIndonesian: mampu - bisa
Example Sentences
Are you able to come tomorrow?
basic
He was not able to lift the box.
basic
She is able to solve the problem.
basic
Thanks to her quick thinking, she was able to avoid an accident.
natural
I haven’t been able to get any sleep lately.
natural
He’s an able lawyer who always wins his cases.
natural