Suitable

ˈsuːtəbəl

adjectiveBeginner📊CommonQuality
1 meaning3 questions

Definitions

1

Appropriate or right for a situation or occasion.

ˈsuːtəbəl

adjectiveneutralBeginner
Quality

Appropriate or fitting for a particular purpose or occasion.

The weather was not suitable for a picnic.

💡 Simply: If something is suitable, it's a perfect fit for what you need, like the right clothes for a party or the right book for your age. For example, a warm coat is suitable for winter.

👶 For kids: When something is just right for something else, we say it is suitable. Like, a raincoat is suitable for a rainy day!

More Examples

2

This program is suitable for children of all ages.

3

He is not a suitable person for the job.

How It's Used

General Use

"The venue is suitable for a wedding reception."

Business

"This candidate has suitable qualifications for the job."

Everyday Life

"These shoes are not suitable for hiking."

From Middle English *sutable*, from Old French *suable* (capable of following, complying), from *suer* (to follow).

The word 'suitable' gained popularity in the 17th and 18th centuries, often in the context of moral and social appropriateness.

Memory tip

Think of a suit that is the right size and fits well. It is suitable!

Word Origin

LanguageOld French
Original meaning

"to follow, comply"

suitable forsuitable tohighly suitableperfectly suitablereasonably suitable

Common misspellings

suiteablesutiable

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written