# able

> English word · Adjective · IPA /ˈeɪ.bl̩/ · frequency rank #352

## Definitions
1. Having the necessary powers or the needed resources to accomplish a task.
2. Free from constraints preventing completion of task; permitted to; not prevented from.
3. Gifted with skill, intelligence, knowledge, or competence.
4. Legally qualified or competent.
5. Capable of performing all the requisite duties; as an able seaman.
6. Having the physical strength; robust; healthy.
7. Easy to use.
8. Suitable; competent.
9. Liable to.
10. Rich; well-to-do.

## Etymology
Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *gʰeh₁bʰ-
Proto-Italic *haβēō
Latin habeō
Proto-Italic *-elis
Latin -ilis
Latin habilis
Old French ablebor.
Middle English able
English able
From Middle English able, from Old Northern French able, variant of Old French abile, habile, from Latin habilis (“easily managed, held, or handled; apt; skillful”). Doublet of habile.

## Easily confused with
- **AL** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/able-vs-al)
- **AE** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/able-vs-ae)
- **are** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/able-vs-are)
- **all** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/able-vs-all)
- **age** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/able-vs-age)
- **ate** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/able-vs-ate)
- **Ali** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/able-vs-ali)
- **ace** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/able-vs-ace)
- **ave** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/able-vs-ave)
- **Abu** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/able-vs-abu)
- **aye** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/able-vs-aye)
- **abs** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/able-vs-abs)
- **alt** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/able-vs-alt)
- **AFL** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/able-vs-afl)
- **awe** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/able-vs-awe)
- **axe** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/able-vs-axe)
- **ale** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/able-vs-ale)
- **ala** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/able-vs-ala)
- **ape** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/able-vs-ape)
- **ACL** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/able-vs-acl)

## Common misspellings (4)
`abble`, `ablle`, `albe`, `ible`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/able