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[ adjective ] (usually followed by `to') having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
Examples "able to swim" "she was able to program her computer" "we were at last able to buy a car" "able to get a grant for the project" Used in print (The Dallas Morning News,...)The volume of ADC cases will decrease , Martin reported , when the community is able to deal effectively with two problems : Relatively limited skills and discrimination in employment because of color . (The Sun, [Baltimore],...)Richard_M._Forbes 's Paget , which had what seemed to be a substantial lead in the early stages , tired rapidly nearing the wire and was able to save place money only a head in_front of Glen_T._Hallowell 's Milties_Miss . (The Dallas Morning News,...)`` He 's looking a_lot better , and he 's able to run '' , Meek explained . `` We 'll let him do a_lot of running this week , but I do n't know if he 'll be able to play '' . Ramsey has a thing or two to mutter about himself , for the Dallas defensive unit turned_in another splendid effort against Denver , and the Texans were able to whip the dangerous Broncs without the fullbacking of a top star , Jack_Spikes , though he did the team 's place-kicking while nursing a knee injury . |
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[ adjective ] have the skills and qualifications to do things well
Synonyms Examples "able teachers" "a capable administrator" "children as young as 14 can be extremely capable and dependable" Used in print (James Boylan, "Mutinity"...)But since 1927 , researchers digging_into ancient court records and legal files have been able to find illuminating pieces of information . (Newton Stallknecht, "Ideas and Literature," in Newton S...)`` History has this in_common with every other science : that the historian is not allowed to claim any single piece of knowledge , except where he can justify his claim by exhibiting to himself in_the_first_place , and secondly to any one else who is both able and willing to follow his demonstration , the grounds upon which it is based . (Jesse W. Grimes and Wesley Allinsmith, "Compuls...)Apparently academic challenge in the structured setting creates an optimum of stress so_that the child with high anxiety is able to achieve because he is aroused to an energetic state without becoming confused or panicked . (Harry Olesker, Impact....)But Blanche had been able to maintain a serene and assured composure in the face of her widowed mother 's continued carping , had been able to resist her urgings to date anyone who offered the slightest possibility of matrimony . But Blanche had been able to maintain a serene and assured composure in the face of her widowed mother 's continued carping , had been able to resist her urgings to date anyone who offered the slightest possibility of matrimony . Related terms |
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[ adjective ] having inherent physical or mental ability or capacity
Examples "able to learn" "human beings are able to walk on two feet" "Superman is able to leap tall buildings" Used in print (Jack Kaplan, "The Health Machine Menace: Therapy by...)People who have not been able to get relief from regular medical doctors are especially apt to be taken_in by quacks '' . (David Stacton, The Judges of the Secret Court....)They had been sitting too long to be able to stand_up easily . Related terms |
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[ noun ] Last name, frequency rank in the U.S. is 12109
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[ adjective ] having a strong healthy body
Synonyms Examples "an able seaman" "every able-bodied young man served in the army" Related terms |
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