capable
adjective
ca·pa·ble
ˈkā-pə-bəl 
in rapid speech ˈkāp-bəl
1
: susceptible
a remark capable of being misunderstood
2
obsolete
: comprehensive
3
: having attributes (such as physical or mental power) required for performance or accomplishment
is capable of intense concentration
4
: having traits conducive to or features permitting something
this woman is capable of murder by violence—
Robert Graves
Robert Graves5
: having legal right to own, enjoy, or perform
of my land … to make thee capable—Shakespeare
Shakespeare6
: having or showing general efficiency and ability
a capable lawyer
a capable performance
Examples of capable in a Sentence
a capable and efficient editor
Recent Examples on the Web
Even in-depth testing may not give a clear indication of what a person is capable of now or in the near future.
—Jen Christensen, CNN, 6 July 2024
Everyone who saw the debate knows that Biden isn’t capable of handling the toughest job in the world.
—Paul Bedard, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 6 July 2024
The evidence suggests early humans were capable of storytelling through art.
—Eva Dou, Washington Post, 5 July 2024
This is owed in part to a power-to-weight ratio of 1 hp per kilogram and a 900-volt system that all help make the car capable of headline-worthy lap times at the Nürburgring Nordschleife racetrack.
—Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 5 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for capable 
Jen Christensen, CNN, 6 July 2024
Everyone who saw the debate knows that Biden isn’t capable of handling the toughest job in the world.
—Paul Bedard, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 6 July 2024
The evidence suggests early humans were capable of storytelling through art.
—Eva Dou, Washington Post, 5 July 2024
This is owed in part to a power-to-weight ratio of 1 hp per kilogram and a 900-volt system that all help make the car capable of headline-worthy lap times at the Nürburgring Nordschleife racetrack.
—Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 5 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for capable
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'capable.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near capable
Cite this Entry
“Capable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/capable. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
capable
adjective
ca·pa·ble
ˈkā-pə-bəl
1
: having the qualities (as physical or mental power) to do or accomplish something
you are capable of better work
2
: having qualities or features permitting
a new train capable of very high speeds
3
: able to do one's job well : generally efficient
tries to hire capable people
capability
noun
ˌkā-pə-ˈbil-ət-ē
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