CAPABLE
Dictionary entry overview: What does capable mean?
• CAPABLE (adjective)
The adjective CAPABLE has 5 senses:
1. (usually followed by 'of') having capacity or ability
2. possibly accepting or permitting
3. (followed by 'of') having the temperament or inclination for
4. having the requisite qualities for
5. have the skills and qualifications to do things well
Familiarity information: CAPABLE used as an adjective is common.
Dictionary entry details
• CAPABLE (adjective)
Meaning:
(usually followed by 'of') having capacity or ability
Context examples:
capable of winning / capable of hard work / capable of walking on two feet
Similar:
able (having inherent physical or mental ability or capacity)
confident; sure-footed; surefooted (not liable to error in judgment or action)
resourceful (having inner resources; adroit or imaginative)
Also:
competent (properly or sufficiently qualified or capable or efficient)
Attribute:
capability; capableness (the quality of being capable -- physically or intellectually or legally)
capability; capableness; potentiality (an aptitude that may be developed)
Antonym:
incapable ((followed by 'of') lacking capacity or ability)
Meaning:
Possibly accepting or permitting
Synonyms:
capable; subject; open
Context examples:
a passage capable of misinterpretation / open to interpretation / an issue open to question / the time is fixed by the director and players and therefore subject to much variation
Similar:
susceptible ((often followed by 'of' or 'to') yielding readily to or capable of)
Meaning:
(followed by 'of') having the temperament or inclination for
Context example:
no one believed her capable of murder
Antonym:
incapable ((followed by 'of') not having the temperament or inclination for)
Meaning:
Having the requisite qualities for
Synonyms:
adequate to; equal to; up to; capable
Context examples:
equal to the task / the work isn't up to the standard I require
Similar:
adequate ((sometimes followed by 'to') meeting the requirements especially of a task)
Meaning:
Have the skills and qualifications to do things well
Synonyms:
able; capable
Context examples:
able teachers / a capable administrator / children as young as 14 can be extremely capable and dependable
Similar:
competent (properly or sufficiently qualified or capable or efficient)
"Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me." (English proverb)
"Don't be afraid to cry. It will free your mind of sorrowful thoughts." (Native American proverb, Hopi)
"Whoever works, he will eat." (Armenian proverb)
"Where there is smoke, there is fire too." (Croatian proverb)
