Capable
/ˈkeɪpəbəl/
adjectiveBeginnerVery CommonGeneral
Meaning
Question
Definitions
1
Having the ability, power, or means to do something.
/ˈkeɪpəbəl/
adjectivepositiveBeginner
General
Having the ability or power to do something.
He's a capable musician.
💡 Simply: Able to do something.
More Examples
2
The new software is capable of handling large datasets.
How It's Used
General
"She is a capable leader."
Employment
"He is capable of handling complex tasks."
From Middle English *capable*, from Anglo-French *capable*, from Latin *capabilis* "that can receive, able to hold," from *capere* "to take, seize, hold, grasp".
The word has maintained a largely consistent meaning throughout its history, referring to the possession of ability or power.
Memory tip
Think of 'cap' as in 'capable of holding,' implying potential.
Practice
Base: capable
capeablecapabale
Usage
60%Spoken
40%Written