# enabled

/ɛˈneɪbəɫd/ (US) · /ɛnˈeɪbəld/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. made possible

verb · CEFR B2

to have given someone the ability or opportunity to do something.

For teachers: the past tense or past participle of enable, meaning to have provided the means, authority, or opportunity to perform a task.

- The new scholarship enabled her to finish her university degree without working a second job.
- The legislative changes enabled the local council to invest directly in green energy projects that were previously restricted by federal law.

Usage: Often followed by an object and a 'to' infinitive.

### 2. activated or turned on

adjective · CEFR B2 · Technical

ready to be used or switched on, especially a feature on a computer or phone.

For teachers: describing a function or feature that has been activated or made operational within a digital system.

- Check your settings to make sure that location services are enabled on your phone.
- Once the administrator has enabled the multi-factor authentication protocol, all users will be prompted to verify their identity via a mobile app.

Usage: Commonly used in passive constructions or as a predicative adjective after 'is' or 'are'.

### 3. compatible with a system

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

designed to work with a specific type of technology or system.

For teachers: modified or designed to be compatible with a specific mechanism, software environment, or hardware standard.

- You need a web-enabled device to access the online library from home.
- The factory upgraded to voice-enabled machinery to allow operators to keep their hands free for delicate assembly tasks.

Teaching tip: This sense is frequently found in compound adjectives like 'web-enabled', 'voice-enabled', or 'AI-enabled'.

## Examples

- The new software enabled us to work from home.
- By updating the operating system, the user enabled several security features that were previously unavailable on the older version.
- The integration of high-speed satellite internet has enabled remote communities to participate in the global economy, effectively bridging a digital divide that had persisted for decades.

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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.