able
gb/ˈeɪbəl/ us/ˈeɪbəl/
A2
Anglais
~ 400
Sens
0 sens
adjective
A2
property
1
Having the power or skill
Having the skill, strength, or power to do something.
Schéma d’usage :
[someone] is able to [verb]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes confuse 'able to' with 'can'; 'can' is often used for general ability, while 'able to' is more formal or for specific situations.
Synonymes
capable (Similar meaning but can also describe general potential rather than immediate ability.)
Antonymes
unable (Direct opposite, meaning lacking the ability to do something.)
Collocations
able to work
|able to help
|able to speak
Thèmes
daily life
|abilities
|work
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- She is able to finish the project on time.
- He was able to lift the heavy box by himself.
- After months of training, I am finally able to run five kilometers without stopping.
Exemples pédagogiques
- I am able to swim.
- She is able to read English.
- We are able to play the guitar.
adjective
B1
property
2
Intelligent or competent
Smart or good at doing something.
Schéma d’usage :
an able [person/professional]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners might mix this meaning with 'able to' + verb, which expresses possibility rather than describing a person’s qualities.
Synonymes
competent (Suggests having adequate skill without necessarily being exceptional.)
Antonymes
incompetent (Lacking the necessary skill or ability for a task.)
Collocations
an able leader
|an able student
|an able worker
Thèmes
work
|education
Exemples
- She proved herself to be an able negotiator.
- The company is looking for an able programmer to join their team.
- He is one of the most able students in the class.
Exemples pédagogiques
- She is an able teacher.
- He is an able driver.
- They are able workers.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
able
API
GB/ˈeɪbəl/
US/ˈeɪbəl/
Syllabes et accentuation
able (1 syllabe)
Stress on 1st syllable (able)
Formes du mot
Adjective
- Base: able
- Comparative: abler
- Superlative: ablest
Famille de mots
Expressions
be able to
1/bˈi ˈeɪbəl tə/
fixed phrase
Have the ability to do something
To have the skill, strength, or time to do something.
Exemples
- I will be able to meet you tomorrow.
- She wasn’t able to finish her homework before dinner.
better able to
2/bˈɛtɚ ˈeɪbəl tə/
fixed phrase
Have more ability than before/others
To have more skill or power than before, or compared to someone else.
Exemples
- After the training, he is better able to handle customer complaints.
- This software makes us better able to track sales data.