Capable vs. Able — What's the Difference?
Difference Between Capable and Able
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Compare with Definitions
Capable
Having capacity or ability; efficient and able
A capable administrator. See Usage Note at able.
Able
Having sufficient power or resources to accomplish something
A singer able to reach high notes.
A detergent able to remove stains.
Capable
Having the ability required for a specific task or accomplishment; qualified
Capable of winning.
Able
Usage Problem Susceptible to action or treatment
The brakes were able to be fixed.
Capable
Having the inclination or disposition
Capable of violence.
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Able
Especially capable or proficient
The new programmers proved to be very able.
Capable
Permitting an action to be performed
An error capable of remedy.
A camera capable of being used underwater.
Able
Having the necessary powers or the needed resources to accomplish a task.
Capable
Able and efficient; having the ability needed for a specific task; having the disposition to do something; permitting or being susceptible to something.
She is capable and efficient.
He does not need help; he is capable of eating on his own.
As everyone knew, he was capable of violence when roused.
That fact is not capable of proof.
Able
Free from constraints preventing completion of task; permitted to; not prevented from.
I’ll see you as soon as I’m able.
With that obstacle removed, I am now able to proceed with my plan.
I’m only able to visit you when I have other work here.
That cliff is able to be climbed.
Capable
(obsolete) Of sufficient capacity or size for holding, containing, receiving or taking in; accessible to. Construed with of, for or an infinitive.
Able
Gifted with skill, intelligence, knowledge, or competence.
The chairman was also an able sailor.
Capable
Possessing ability, qualification, or susceptibility; having capacity; of sufficient size or strength; as, a room capable of holding a large number; a castle capable of resisting a long assault.
Concious of joy and capable of pain.
Able
(law) Legally qualified or competent.
He is able to practice law in six states.
Capable
Possessing adequate power; qualified; able; fully competent; as, a capable instructor; a capable judge; a mind capable of nice investigations.
More capable to discourse of battles than to give them.
Able
(nautical) Capable of performing all the requisite duties; as an able seaman.
Capable
Possessing legal power or capacity; as, a man capable of making a contract, or a will.
Able
Having the physical strength; robust; healthy.
After the past week of forced marches, only half the men are fully able.
Capable
Capacious; large; comprehensive.
Able
(obsolete) Easy to use.
Capable
(usually followed by `of') having capacity or ability;
Capable of winning
Capable of hard work
Capable of walking on two feet
Able
(obsolete) Suitable; competent.
Capable
Possibly accepting or permitting;
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
Able
Liable to.
Capable
(followed by `of') having the temperament or inclination for;
No one believed her capable of murder
Able
(obsolete) Rich; well-to-do.
He was born to an able family.
Capable
Having the requisite qualities for;
Equal to the task
The work isn't up to the standard I require
Able
To make ready.
Capable
Have the skills and qualifications to do things well;
Able teachers
A capable administrator
Children as young as 14 can be extremely capable and dependable
Able
To make capable; to enable.
Able
To dress.
Able
To give power to; to reinforce; to confirm.
Able
To vouch for; to guarantee.
Able
The letter "A" in Navy Phonetic Alphabet.
Able
Fit; adapted; suitable.
A many man, to ben an abbot able.
Able
Having sufficient power, strength, force, skill, means, or resources of any kind to accomplish the object; possessed of qualifications rendering competent for some end; competent; qualified; capable; as, an able workman, soldier, seaman, a man able to work; a mind able to reason; a person able to be generous; able to endure pain; able to play on a piano.
Able
Specially: Having intellectual qualifications, or strong mental powers; showing ability or skill; talented; clever; powerful; as, the ablest man in the senate; an able speech.
No man wrote abler state papers.
Able
Legally qualified; possessed of legal competence; as, able to inherit or devise property.
Able
To make able; to enable; to strengthen.
Able
To vouch for.
Able
(usually followed by `to') having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something;
Able to swim
She was able to program her computer
We were at last able to buy a car
Able to get a grant for the project
Able
Have the skills and qualifications to do things well;
Able teachers
A capable administrator
Children as young as 14 can be extremely capable and dependable
Able
Having inherent physical or mental ability or capacity;
Able to learn
Human beings are able to walk on two feet
Superman is able to leap tall buildings
Able
Having a strong healthy body;
An able seaman
Every able-bodied young man served in the army
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