suitable

adjective

suit·​able ˈsü-tə-bəl How to pronounce suitable (audio)
Synonyms of suitable
1
a
: adapted to a use or purpose
suitable for kitchen use
b
: satisfying propriety : proper
suitable dress
c
: able, qualified
a suitable candidate for the job
2
obsolete : similar, matching
suitability
ˌsü-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce suitable (audio)
noun
suitableness noun
suitably
ˈsü-tə-blē How to pronounce suitable (audio)
adverb

Synonyms of suitable

Relevance
See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus
Choose the Right Synonym for suitable

fit, suitable, meet, proper, appropriate, fitting, apt, happy, felicitous mean right with respect to some end, need, use, or circumstance.

fit stresses adaptability and sometimes special readiness for use or action.

fit for battle

suitable implies an answering to requirements or demands.

clothes suitable for camping

meet suggests a just proportioning.

meet payment

proper suggests a suitability through essential nature or accordance with custom.

proper acknowledgment

appropriate implies eminent or distinctive fitness.

an appropriate gift

fitting implies harmony of mood or tone.

a fitting end

apt connotes a fitness marked by nicety and discrimination.

apt quotations

happy suggests what is effectively or successfully appropriate.

a happy choice of words

felicitous suggests an aptness that is opportune, telling, or graceful.

a felicitous phrase

Examples of suitable in a Sentence

The dress was a suitable choice. We upgraded the computer to make it suitable to our needs.
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.
Trump’s announcement during his second trip to Ohio in two weeks was prompted by an August presidential memorandum directing administration officials to identify a suitable location for the component repair center within 90 days. — Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 13 Oct. 2026 Many of our dramas are suitable for friends and families to gather and enjoy them together. — Marta Balaga, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026 Sponsors need to be thanked, receptions need suitable hours and screenings need audiences. — Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026 Following the negative reply to its funding request, the museum claimed that the original agreement between the Dutch state and the Van Gogh Foundation required the state to provide suitable accommodation for the collection. — News Desk, Artforum, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for suitable

Word History

First Known Use

1563, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of suitable was in 1563

Rhymes for suitable

See All Rhymes for suitable

Browse Nearby Words

suitability
suitable
suitableness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

suitable

adjective
suit·​able ˈsüt-ə-bəl How to pronounce suitable (audio)
1
: adapted to a use or purpose
food suitable for human consumption
2
: being fit or right for a use or group
clothes suitable to the occasion
a movie suitable for children
3
: qualified sense 1, capable
looking for a suitable replacement
suitability
ˌsüt-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē How to pronounce suitable (audio)
noun
suitableness
ˈsüt-ə-bəl-nəs
noun
suitably
-blē How to pronounce suitable (audio)
adverb
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of deportment

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All