capable

adjective

ca·​pa·​ble ˈkā-pə-bəl How to pronounce capable (audio)
in rapid speech ˈkāp-bəl
Synonyms of capable
1
: susceptible
a remark capable of being misunderstood
2
obsolete : comprehensive
3
: having attributes (such as physical or mental power) required for performance or accomplishment
is capable of intense concentration
4
: having traits conducive to or features permitting something
This woman is capable of murder by violence …—Robert Graves
5
: having legal right to own, enjoy, or perform
… of my land … I'll work the means / To make thee capable.—William Shakespeare
6
: having or showing general efficiency and ability
a capable lawyer
a capable performance
capableness
ˈkā-pə-bəl-nəs How to pronounce capable (audio)
noun
capably
ˈkā-pə-blē How to pronounce capable (audio)
adverb

Synonyms of capable

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Examples of capable in a Sentence

a capable and efficient editor
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Meta recently updated its standards for training, evaluating and releasing its most capable AI models, and spokesman Andy Stone pointed to the company’s efforts to refine its board of directors’ governance structure. — Garance Burke, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026 Most notably, some leading Chinese thinkers believe robotics could be the key to unlocking artificial general intelligence—systems capable of performing as well as or better than humans across most tasks. — Scott Singer, Foreign Affairs, 12 Oct. 2026 For capable enemy forces like China, this would mean the B-52 would need supporting assets to either deflect attention away from them or directly protect them. — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 11 Oct. 2026 Rahimi plays him as a mostly sincere but deeply conflicted man, and most importantly a desperate one, capable of some rather unexpected deceptions. — Kambole Campbell, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for capable

Word History

Etymology

Middle French or Late Latin; Middle French capable, from Late Latin capabilis, irregular from Latin capere to take — more at heave entry 1

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of capable was in 1579

Rhymes for capable

See All Rhymes for capable

Browse Nearby Words

capability
capable
capable de tout
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Cite this Entry

“Capable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/capable. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

capable

adjective
ca·​pa·​ble ˈkā-pə-bəl How to pronounce capable (audio)
1
: having the qualities (as physical or mental power) to do or accomplish something
you are capable of better work
2
: having qualities or features permitting
a new train capable of very high speeds
3
: able to do one's job well : generally efficient
tries to hire capable people
capability
ˌkā-pə-ˈbil-ət-ē
noun
capably
ˈkā-pə-blē How to pronounce capable (audio)
adverb
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