# able

/ˈeɪbəɫ/ (US) · /ˈeɪbəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/able
Updated: 2026-05-01

## Senses

### 1. having the power or skill

adjective · CEFR A2

having the power, skill, or money needed to do something.

For teachers: possessing the necessary power, resources, or ability to accomplish a specific task.

- She was able to finish the marathon despite the heavy rain.
- After months of intensive physical therapy, the patient was finally able to walk without the assistance of a cane.

Usage: Always followed by 'to' and an infinitive verb when used in this sense.

### 2. very skillful

adjective · CEFR B2

very good at doing something; clever and talented.

For teachers: demonstrating high levels of skill, intelligence, or competence in a particular field.

- The company is looking for an able manager to lead the new team.
- The department was led by an able administrator who managed to balance the budget without cutting essential services.

### 3. legally qualified

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal · Technical

having the legal right or power to do something.

For teachers: possessing the legal qualification or capacity to perform a specific act or hold a position.

- The court ruled that he was able to stand trial.
- The witness was deemed able to testify only after a thorough psychiatric evaluation confirmed her mental competency.

### 4. nautical rank

adjective · CEFR B2 · Technical

a term for a sailor who has all the necessary skills.

For teachers: denoting a sailor who is certified to perform all standard duties on a ship.

- He served as an able seaman for five years before becoming an officer.
- The captain requested four able seamen to assist with the complex docking maneuvers during the storm.

### 5. the letter A

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a word used in radio or navy codes to mean the letter A.

For teachers: a phonetic code word representing the letter A, primarily used in maritime radiotelephony.

- The signalman used the word Able to clarify the spelling over the radio.
- In the older phonetic alphabet, the sequence began with Able, Baker, and Charlie before the international standard switched to Alpha.

Teaching tip: This sense is largely replaced by 'Alpha' in modern international aviation and NATO contexts, but persists in some naval traditions.

## Examples

- She is able to speak three languages fluently.
- After months of physical therapy, the athlete was finally able to return to the field for practice.
- The legal team must prove that the defendant was mentally able to understand the consequences of his actions at the time the contract was signed.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.