Word
capable
Phoneticsca·pa·ble, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈkeɪpəbəɫ/
UK/kˈeɪpəbəl/
Definitions
01skilled and efficient
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. having the ability, power, or qualities to do something well.
adj. possessing the necessary skills, intelligence, or fitness to perform a task effectively.
日本語:有能※
Español:capaz
“The new manager is very capable and has already improved the team's results.”
“The department requires a highly capable administrator who can navigate complex regulatory frameworks while maintaining staff morale.”
Usage
Usually followed by the preposition 'of' when describing a specific action.
Pitfall
She is capable to do the job.
She is capable of doing the job.
The adjective 'capable' is followed by the preposition 'of' and a gerund (-ing form), not an infinitive.
Antonyms
02having potential
C1 · Advanced Formal
adj. having the qualities needed for a certain development or treatment.
adj. having the susceptibility or capacity for a specified treatment, improvement, or interpretation.
“This old house is capable of improvement if you have the budget.”
“The legal text is capable of several different interpretations, which has led to significant confusion in the lower courts.”
Usage
Almost always used in the pattern 'capable of [noun]'.
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “capable” in context.
Verb
01. become capable
“With enough practice, you will eventually become capable of speaking fluently.”
verb + adj
02. seem capable
“The new recruit seems capable, but he still needs to complete his basic training.”
verb + adj
Adjective
03. capable of handling
“She proved that she was capable of handling the pressure of a high-stakes environment.”
adj + prep
04. capable of improvement
“While the first draft is good, the overall structure is still capable of improvement.”
adj + prep
05. highly capable
“The company is looking for a highly capable manager to lead the new department.”
adv + adj
06. perfectly capable
“You don't need to help me; I am perfectly capable of doing it myself.”
adv + adj
Real-World Examples
“In Rio, Flávio Bolsonaro praised Trump’s decision to target the Brazilian crime groups and said he was the only politician capable of “sitting down with the US”.” “He told the BBC that as models become more capable, more must be done to secure the environments where they are tested.” Etymology
Borrowed from Middle French capable, from Late Latin capābilis.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/capable
※ 機械で選んだ訳語です。ネイティブスピーカーによる確認はまだです。
「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0