# enable

/ɛˈneɪbəɫ/ (US) · /ɛnˈeɪbəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/enable
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to make possible

verb · CEFR B2 · General-service

to give someone the ability, tools, or opportunity to do something.

For teachers: to provide the means, authority, or opportunity for an agent to perform an action. Transitive; typically followed by an object and a to-infinitive.

- The new scholarship will enable her to finish her university degree.
- The implementation of high-speed rail will enable commuters to reach the city centre in under twenty minutes, significantly reducing traffic congestion.

Usage: Usually follows the pattern: enable + object + to + verb.

### 2. to activate a feature

verb · CEFR B2 · Technical

to turn on a specific function or setting on a computer, phone, or machine.

For teachers: to activate or make a specific electronic or mechanical function operational.

- You need to enable cookies in your browser settings to view this website.
- The administrator must enable the remote-access protocol before the engineering team can troubleshoot the server from the branch office.

### 3. to encourage bad behaviour

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to make it easier for someone to continue doing something harmful or wrong, often by helping them too much.

For teachers: to behave in a manner that facilitates or encourages another person's destructive or problematic behaviour, often unintentionally.

- By paying his debts, his parents were actually enabling his gambling habit.
- Psychologists argue that by constantly making excuses for his outbursts, the staff were enabling his toxic leadership style rather than addressing the root cause.

Teaching tip: This sense is often used in the context of addiction or psychology to describe a well-meaning person who accidentally helps a person stay in a bad situation.

## Examples

- This new software will enable us to work much faster.
- The updated security settings enable users to access their files from any device without compromising privacy.
- While the legislation was intended to enable small businesses to compete, critics argue that the high compliance costs have actually created a barrier to entry.

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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.