able

a·ble  (bl)

adj. a·bler, a·blest

1. Having sufficient power or resources to accomplish something: a singer able to reach high notes; a detergent able to remove stains.

2. Usage Problem Susceptible to action or treatment: The brakes were able to be fixed.

3. Especially capable or talented.

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[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin habilis, from habre, to handle; see ghabh- in Indo-European roots.]

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ably (bl) adv.

Usage Note: The construction able to takes an infinitive to show the subject's ability to accomplish an action: We were able to get a grant for the project. The new submarine is able to dive twice as fast as the older model. Some people think it should be avoided when the subject does not have an ability, as in sentences with passive constructions involving forms of the verb be: The problem was able to be solved by using a new lab technique. The reasoning here is that since the problem has no ability to accomplish an action, it is not able to do anything, and therefore able to should not be used. Presumably this ban would apply to similar words like capable and to negative words like unable and incapable. In such cases one can usually avoid the problem by using can or could: The problem could be solved.... Keep in mind, however, that passives with get ascribe a more active role to their subjects, and here one can use able to: He was able to get accepted by a top law school.

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able

Adjective

1. having the necessary power, skill, or opportunity to do something

2. capable or talented [Latin habilis easy to hold]

Thesaurus

Adj.	1.	able - (usually followed by `to') having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something; "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" unable - (usually followed by `to') not having the necessary means or skill or know-how; "unable to get to town without a car"; "unable to obtain funds"
	2.	able - have the skills and qualifications to do things well; "able teachers"; "a capable administrator"; "children as young as 14 can be extremely capable and dependable" capable competent - properly or sufficiently qualified or capable or efficient; "a competent typist"
	3.	able - having inherent physical or mental ability or capacity; "able to learn"; "human beings are able to walk on two feet"; "Superman is able to leap tall buildings" capable - (usually followed by `of') having capacity or ability; "capable of winning"; "capable of hard work"; "capable of walking on two feet"
	4.	able - having a strong healthy body; "an able seaman"; "every able-bodied young man served in the army" able-bodied fit - physically and mentally sound or healthy; "felt relaxed and fit after their holiday"; "keeps fit with diet and exercise"

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able

adjective capable, experienced, fit, skilled, expert, powerful, masterly, effective, qualified, talented, gifted, efficient, clever, practised, accomplished, competent, skilful, adept, masterful, strong, proficient, adroit, highly endowed << OPPOSITE incapable

Translations

able [ˈeɪbl] adj → capaz (= skilled); hábil;

to be able to do sth → poder hacer algo

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able [ˈeɪbl] adj → compétent(e);

to be able to do sth → pouvoir faire qch, être capable de faire qch

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able [ˈeɪbl] adj → fähig;

to be able to do sth → etw tun können

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able [ˈeɪbl] adj → capace;

to be able to do sth → essere capace di fare qc, poter fare qc