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Capable vs. Able — What's the Difference?

Capable vs. Able — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Capable and Able

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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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