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 … I'll work the means / To make thee capable.—William Shakespeare
William 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
America has always been capable of more than its worst moments.
—Nick Weston, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 May 2026
While the Spurs also touted the NBA’s third-best offense this season, San Antonio’s ball handlers and shooters are capable of being sped up.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 2 May 2026
What to read next The idea builds on NASA's Ingenuity helicopter, which demonstrated powered flight in Mars' thin atmosphere and opened the door to more capable aerial science platforms.
—Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 1 May 2026
But a few months later, in June 2024, Virgin Galactic stopped flying VSS Unity to focus on the development of its next-generation vehicle capable of more frequent, lower-cost spaceflights.
—Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for capable
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Nick Weston, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 May 2026
While the Spurs also touted the NBA’s third-best offense this season, San Antonio’s ball handlers and shooters are capable of being sped up.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 2 May 2026
What to read next The idea builds on NASA's Ingenuity helicopter, which demonstrated powered flight in Mars' thin atmosphere and opened the door to more capable aerial science platforms.
—Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 1 May 2026
But a few months later, in June 2024, Virgin Galactic stopped flying VSS Unity to focus on the development of its next-generation vehicle capable of more frequent, lower-cost spaceflights.
—Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for capable
Cite this Entry
“Capable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/capable. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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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