stable
gb/stˈeɪbəl/ us/stˈeɪbəl/
A2
English
~ 4000
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
Not likely to change or move
Strong and steady; not likely to move or change suddenly.
Usage pattern:
[something] is stable
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'stable' with 'able', leading to incorrect forms like 'stably' when 'able' is intended.
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.)
Collocations
stable condition
|stable relationship
|stable structure
|stable economy
Themes
general
|safety
|science
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The patient's condition is stable after surgery.
- This table is stable and won’t wobble.
- They have a stable income that covers all their needs.
- The bridge remained stable during the earthquake.
Learner examples
- The chair is stable.
- Her job is stable.
- The wall is stable.
- He feels stable now.
Noun
A2
entity
2
Building where horses are kept
A building where horses live.
Usage pattern:
[someone] keeps [animals] in a stable
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse 'stable' (noun) with 'table' due to similar pronunciation.
Synonyms
barn (General term for farm building, not always for horses.)
Antonyms
pasture (Open land for grazing, not a building.)
Collocations
horse stable
|clean the stable
|stable door
Themes
animals
|farming
|housing
Examples
- The horses are in the stable for the night.
- She works at a riding school with a large stable.
- They built a new stable next to the farmhouse.
Learner examples
- The horse is in the stable.
- We clean the stable every day.
- The farmer has a big stable.
adjective
technical
B2
property
3
Not reacting or changing easily
Not changing or breaking easily in science or technology.
Usage pattern:
[substance] is stable under [conditions]
Synonyms
inert (Chemically non-reactive.)
Antonyms
reactive (Likely to change or react chemically.)
Collocations
chemically stable
|stable isotope
|thermally stable
Themes
science
|technology
Examples
- This compound is stable at room temperature.
- Stable isotopes do not undergo radioactive decay.
- The material remains stable even under high pressure.
Learner examples
- Water is stable at room temperature.
- This metal is very stable.
- The gas is stable in this bottle.
Noun
B2
entity
4
Group managed by same person/company
A group of people working for the same manager or company.
Synonyms
team (General group working together, not necessarily under one manager.)
Collocations
a stable of writers
|a stable of fighters
Themes
business
|entertainment
|work
Examples
- The agency has a large stable of talented actors.
- He manages a stable of professional boxers.
- Their publishing house boasts a strong stable of authors.
Learner examples
- The company has a stable of singers.
- He has a stable of artists.
- They have a big stable of players.
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.