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