English Explanatory Dictionary

-able

English dictionary entry

Meanings

suffix
  1. Able to be done; fit to be done.
  2. Relevant to or suitable to, in accordance with.
  3. Giving, or inclined to.
  4. Inviting a specified behavior.
  5. Subject to.
  6. Due to be.

Pronunciation

/əbl̩/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl--able.wav /ˈebl̩/ [eːbɐl] [ɐbɨɭ]

Word forms

-able more -able most -able -ible

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *-tḗr Proto-Indo-European *-dʰlom Proto-Indo-European *-dʰlis Proto-Italic *-ðlis Latin -bilis Latin -ābilis Old French -ablebor. Middle English -able English -able Inherited from Middle English -able, borrowed from Old French -able, from Latin -ābilis, from -a- or -i- + -bilis (“capable or worthy of being acted upon”), from Proto-Indo-European i-stem form *-dʰli- of *-dʰlom (“instrumental suffix”). Not closely related etymologically, though currently related semantically, to able. Displaced native Old English -endlīc.

Related words

ability -ability able -worthy
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