suit ‧ a ‧ ble S3 W2 /ˈsuːtəb ə l, ˈsjuː- $ ˈsuː-/ BrE AmE adjective
having the right qualities for a particular person, purpose, or situation OPP unsuitable :
We are hoping to find a suitable school.
suitable for
The house is not really suitable for a large family.
suitable place/time etc to do something
a suitable place to rear young children
suitable to use/be shown etc
These crayons are not suitable to use in very hot weather.
REGISTER
In everyday English, people usually say that someone or something is the right person or thing for them, instead of using suitable :
▪
We think this is the right school for our child.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ adverbs
▪ very/highly suitable ( also eminently suitable formal )
This exercise is very suitable for back pain sufferers.
▪ particularly/especially suitable
The resort is particularly suitable for families.
▪ equally suitable
I wanted a shoe that was equally suitable for both racing and training.
▪ perfectly suitable (=completely suitable)
The programme is perfectly suitable for children of all ages.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ suitable having the right qualities for a particular purpose or person:
a suitable place for a picnic
|
They don’t consider him a suitable husband for their daughter.
▪ right completely suitable in every way:
It’s a nice house, but it isn’t right for us.
|
We’ll tell her when the time is right.
▪ appropriate suitable for a particular purpose. Appropriate is more formal than suitable :
She filled out all the appropriate forms.
|
It may not be an appropriate time to ask him about it.
|
It’s not appropriate to wear a short skirt for an interview.
|
the appropriate way to end a business letter
▪ proper the proper tool, piece of equipment, or way of doing something is the one that most people think is most suitable:
You can’t change a wheel without the proper tools.
|
the proper procedure for hiring staff
▪ suited to something if someone is suited to something, he or she has the right qualities to do it:
He’d be well suited to the job.