stable
gb/stˈeɪbəl/ us/stˈeɪbəl/
A2
English
~ 4000
stabil, istálló, gárda
B1
1
stabil
B1
Usage pattern:
[something] is stable
The patient's condition is stable after surgery.
A beteg állapota a műtét után stabil.
This table is stable and won’t wobble.
Ez az asztal stabil, nem billeg.
They have a stable income that covers all their needs.
The bridge remained stable during the earthquake.
Learner examples
The chair is stable.
A szék stabil.
Her job is stable.
Az állása biztos.
The wall is stable.
He feels stable now.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'stable' with 'able', leading to incorrect forms like 'stably' when 'able' is intended.
Meaning
Not likely to change or move
Collocations
stable condition
|stable relationship
|stable structure
|stable economy
Synonyms
steady (Implies consistent and reliable over time.)
|
secure (Emphasizes safety and protection from change or danger.)
Antonyms
unstable (Likely to change, fall, or fail.)
|
insecure (Lacking stability or safety.)
Themes
general
|safety
|science
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Strong and steady; not likely to move or change suddenly.
Firmly fixed, not likely to change, fail, or give way.
NOUN
A2
2
istálló
A2
Usage pattern:
[someone] keeps [animals] in a stable
The horses are in the stable for the night.
A lovak éjszakára az istállóban vannak.
She works at a riding school with a large stable.
Egy lovasiskolában dolgozik, ahol nagy istálló van.
They built a new stable next to the farmhouse.
Learner examples
The horse is in the stable.
A ló az istállóban van.
We clean the stable every day.
Mindennap kitakarítjuk az istállót.
The farmer has a big stable.
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse 'stable' (noun) with 'table' due to similar pronunciation.
Meaning
Building where horses are kept
Collocations
horse stable
|clean the stable
|stable door
Synonyms
barn (General term for farm building, not always for horses.)
Antonyms
pasture (Open land for grazing, not a building.)
Themes
animals
|farming
|housing
Definition
A building where horses live.
A building in which horses are kept, fed, and cared for.
B2
TECHNICAL
3
stabil
B2
Usage pattern:
[substance] is stable under [conditions]
This compound is stable at room temperature.
Ez a vegyület szobahőmérsékleten stabil.
Stable isotopes do not undergo radioactive decay.
A stabil izotópok nem bomlanak radioaktívan.
The material remains stable even under high pressure.
Learner examples
Water is stable at room temperature.
A víz szobahőmérsékleten stabil.
This metal is very stable.
Ez a fém nagyon stabil.
The gas is stable in this bottle.
Meaning
Not reacting or changing easily
Collocations
chemically stable
|stable isotope
|thermally stable
Synonyms
inert (Chemically non-reactive.)
Antonyms
reactive (Likely to change or react chemically.)
Themes
science
|technology
Definition
Not changing or breaking easily in science or technology.
Not easily altered or decomposed under normal conditions; resistant to change in a chemical or physical state.
NOUN
B2
4
The agency has a large stable of talented actors.
Az ügynökségnek tehetséges színészekből álló nagy gárdája van.
He manages a stable of professional boxers.
Egy hivatásos bokszolókból álló istállót menedzsel.
Their publishing house boasts a strong stable of authors.
Learner examples
The company has a stable of singers.
A cégnek énekesekből álló gárdája van.
He has a stable of artists.
Saját művészgárdája van.
They have a big stable of players.
Meaning
Group managed by same person/company
Collocations
a stable of writers
|a stable of fighters
Synonyms
team (General group working together, not necessarily under one manager.)
Themes
business
|entertainment
|work
Definition
A group of people working for the same manager or company.
A group of people, such as performers, athletes, or writers, managed or employed by the same person or organization.
Grammar
Dictionary form
stable
IPA
GB/stˈeɪbəl/
US/stˈeɪbəl/
Syllables & stress
stable (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (stable)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: stable
- Comparative: stabler
- Superlative: stablest
Noun
- Base: stable
- Plural: stables
Word family
Forms
stables
noun
stabler
adjective
stablest
adjective
Related words
stabilization
noun
stabilizer
noun
stably
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
Advanced or less common
destabilization
noun
Expressions
close the stable door after the horse has bolted
1/klˈoʊz ðə stˈeɪbəl dˈɔɹ ˈæftɚ ðə hˈɔɹs hˈæz bˈoʊltɪd/
idiom
Act after it's too late
To try to stop something bad after it has already happened and cannot be changed.
Examples
- Installing security cameras after the break-in was like closing the stable door after the horse had bolted.
- He apologized, but it was like closing the stable door after the horse had bolted.