able

Universal Words adjective 1 ~ to do sth (used as a modal verb) to have the skill, intelligence, opportunity, etc. needed to do sth: You must be able to speak French for this job. * A viral illness left her barely able to walk. * I didn't feel able to disagree with him. * Will you be able to come? OPPUNABLE -< CAN 2 (abler ) intelligent; good at sth: the ablest student in the class * We aim to help the less able in society to lead an independent life. seealsoABLY ______________________________ WORDFAMILY able adj. (=/= unable) ability n. (=/= inability) disabled adj. disability n. ______________________________ -able (BrE also -ible) suffix (in adjectives) 1 that can or must be: calculable * taxable 2 having the quality of: fashionable * comfortable * changeable -ability, -ibility (in nouns): capability * responsibility -ably, -ibly (in adverbs): noticeably * incredibly