able
Definitions
Having the power, skill, or means to do something (be able to)
能够的（be able to）
Skilful, competent, talented
能干的，有才能的
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedThe bare root from Latin habilis 'easy to handle, manageable' (from habēre 'to hold'). To be able is to be able to 'handle' a task. The same word is the engine inside the -able suffix on thousands of other adjectives.
Root abil still carries 16 more wordsUsage Guide
- be able to is the everyday way to express ability, and the only option in tenses where 'can' has no form (will be able to, has been able to).
- can vs be able to: 'can' is more natural for the present (I can swim); 'was able to' often means a specific success on one occasion (I was able to fix it), while 'could' suggests general past ability.
Example Sentences
- 1.
Will you be able to finish the report by tonight?
- 2.
She's an extremely able administrator.
- 3.
We want every child to be able to read well.
Synonym Comparison
- able — having the power or skill to do something
- capable — having the potential or competence (capable of)
- competent — having enough skill to do a job adequately
- skilled — having training-based expertise
- talented — having natural gift