Able and capable are both used to say that someone can do something.
If someone is able to do something, they can do it either because of their knowledge or skill, or because it is possible.
If you use a past tense, you mean that someone has actually done something.
If someone is capable of doing something, they have the knowledge and skill to do it.
You can say that someone is capable of a particular feeling or action.
You can also use capable of when you are talking about what something such as a car or machine can do.
If you describe someone as able or capable, you mean that they do things well.
Adj. | 1. | capable - (usually followed by `of') having capacity or ability; "capable of winning"; "capable of hard work"; "capable of walking on two feet" competent - properly or sufficiently qualified or capable or efficient; "a competent typist" incapable - (followed by `of') lacking capacity or ability; "incapable of carrying a tune"; "he is incapable of understanding the matter"; "incapable of doing the work" |
2. | capable - possibly accepting or permitting; "a passage capable of misinterpretation"; "open to interpretation"; "an issue open to question"; "the time is fixed by the director and players and therefore subject to much variation" susceptible - (often followed by `of' or `to') yielding readily to or capable of; "susceptible to colds"; "susceptible of proof" | |
3. | capable - (followed by `of') having the temperament or inclination for; "no one believed her capable of murder" incapable - (followed by `of') not having the temperament or inclination for; "simply incapable of lying" | |
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5. | ![]() competent - properly or sufficiently qualified or capable or efficient; "a competent typist" |