The meaning of ABLE is having sufficient power, skill, or resources to do something. How to use able in a sentence.

ABLE meaning: 1. to have the necessary physical strength, mental power, skill, time, money, or opportunity to do…. Learn more.

a•ble (ˈeɪ bəl) adj. a•bler, a•blest. 1. having the necessary power, skill, resources, or qualifications to do something: able to read music; not able to vote. 2. having or showing unusual talent, …

a suffix meaning “capable of, susceptible of, fit for, tending to, given to,” associated in meaning with the word able, occurring in loanwords from Latin (laudable); used in English as a highly …

Jan 5, 2026 · able (comparative abler, superlative ablest) Having the necessary powers or the needed resources to accomplish a task. [First attested from around (1350 to 1470).]

For millions of eligible individuals with disabilities and their families, ABLE accounts can help improve health, independence and quality of life.

able is an adjective that usually comes after some form of be, ably is an adverb, ability is a noun: John is able to run fast. He did the work ably and efficiently.

There are 15 meanings listed in OED's entry for the word able, seven of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

ABLE definition: having necessary power, skill, resources, or qualifications; qualified. See examples of able used in a sentence.

Definition of able adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.