ABLE


Meaning of ABLE in English

a ‧ ble S1 W1 /ˈeɪb ə l/ BrE AmE adjective

[ Word Family: noun : ↑ ability ≠ ↑ inability , ↑ disability ; adjective : ↑ able ≠ ↑ unable , ↑ disabled ; verb : ↑ enable ≠ ↑ disable ; adverb : ↑ ably ]

[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: Latin habilis 'skillful' , from habere 'to have' ]

1 . be able to do something

a) to have the skill, strength, knowledge etc needed to do something:

I’ve always wanted to be able to speak Japanese.

b) to be in a situation in which it is possible for you to do something:

I’d like to do more gardening, but I never seem able to find the time.

I haven’t been able to read that report yet.

2 . clever or good at doing something:

one of my more able students

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English.      Longman - Словарь современного английского языка.