# stable

/ˈsteɪbəɫ/ (US) · /stˈeɪbəl/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. steady and unchanging

adjective · CEFR B1

steady and not likely to move, change, or fail.

For teachers: firmly established and not likely to fluctuate or deteriorate; resistant to sudden change.

- The patient is in a stable condition after the surgery.
- Economists remain cautious despite the stable inflation rates, noting that geopolitical tensions could still disrupt the global supply chain.

### 2. software/computing

adjective · CEFR B2 · Technical

a version of a computer program that is tested and has very few errors.

For teachers: denoting a software release that has undergone rigorous testing and is considered reliable for production use.

- You should download the stable version of the app instead of the beta.
- The development team decided to delay the feature rollout until the stable build could be verified across all legacy operating systems.

### 3. building for horses

noun · CEFR B1

a building where horses are kept and fed.

For teachers: a building or set of buildings specifically designed for the housing and feeding of livestock, particularly horses.

- He spent the morning cleaning the stable and feeding the horses.
- The equestrian centre features a modern stable with climate control and automated feeding systems for the prize-winning stallions.

### 4. a group of people

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a group of people, like athletes or performers, who work for the same person or company.

For teachers: a group of individuals, such as athletes, writers, or performers, who are managed or trained by the same organization.

- The talent agency has a stable of very famous actors.
- The publishing house boasts an impressive stable of young novelists who have collectively won several major literary awards this year.

## Examples

- The horses are resting in the stable after their morning run.
- The talent agency manages a stable of young actors who are all appearing in major films this year.
- While the historic stable has been converted into a modern guest house, the surrounding fields still serve as a reminder of the estate's equestrian heritage.

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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.