capable in English
- capable⇄capable, adjective.
having fitness, power, or ability; able; efficient; competent.
Ex. a capable teacher. He did a very capable job and was rewarded with much praise.
(SYN) proficient, qualified, fitted. - capable⇄expr. capable of,
a. having ability, power, or fitness for.
Ex. capable of criticizing music. Some airplanes are capable of going 1000 miles an hour.
b. open to; ready for.
Ex. a statement capable of being misunderstood. - capable⇄noun capableness.
capable in Gujarati ગુજરાતી
capable in Malayalam മലയാളം
capable in Sindhi سنڌي
Capable
Part of Speech
Adjective
Pronunciation
/ˈkeɪ.pə.bəl/
Definitions
- Adjective: Having the ability, fitness, or quality necessary to do or achieve a specified thing.
- Adjective: Competent or skilled in a particular area or field.
- Adjective: Able to perform or produce a specific task or function.
Usage Examples
- "She is capable of leading the team to success."
- "The device is capable of processing large amounts of data quickly."
- "He is more than capable of handling the challenges that lie ahead."
Etymology
Derived from the Latin word "capabilis," meaning "able to take or hold," formed from "capere" (to take, to hold). The word evolved into Middle French "capable," and was adopted into English in the late 14th century, referring to the potential or ability of something or someone.
Synonyms
- Competent
- Skilled
- Proficient
- Able
- Qualified
- Efficient
- Talented
- Fit
Antonyms
- Incompetent
- Unskilled
- Unfit
- Unable
- Incapacitated
- Powerless
- Impotent
- Helpless
Translations
| Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| English | Capable | /ˈkeɪ.pə.bəl/ |
| Spanish | Capaz | /kaˈpas/ |
| French | Capable | /ka.pabl/ |
| Italian | Capace | /kaˈpaːtʃe/ |
| Portuguese | Capaz | /kaˈpaz/ |
| German | Fähig | /ˈfɛːɪç/ |
| Chinese | 能够 (Nénggòu) | nung-go |
| Japanese | できる (Dekiru) | deh-kee-roo |
| Korean | 할 수 있는 (Hal su inneun) | hal su in-neun |
| Arabic | قادر (Qadir) | qa-dir |
| Russian | Способный (Sposobny) | s-poh-sohb-nee |
| Hindi | सक्षम (Saksham) | sahk-shahm |
| Bengali | ক্ষম (Khômo) | khom |
| Punjabi | ਸਮਰਥ (Samarth) | suh-mar-th |
| Telugu | సామర్థ్య (Sāmartthya) | sā-mar-thya |
| Tamil | திறன் (Thiṟaṉ) | thir-an |
| Marathi | क्षमता (Kshamata) | kshuh-mah-tah |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
- In some regions, the "a" in "capable" may sound softer, pronounced as /kəˈbeɪbəl/.
- In British English, a more pronounced stress is given to the first syllable: /ˈkeɪpəbl/.
Historical Usage
First recorded in English in the early 14th century, "capable" originally referred to the ability to receive or contain something. By the 16th century, its meaning shifted to focus on human competence and the ability to perform tasks. Over time, it became widely used in contexts of personal and professional competence.
Cultural Nuances
In different cultures, the concept of being "capable" may be tied to societal expectations. For example, in some cultures, being capable is closely related to demonstrating leadership and responsibility, whereas in others, capability may be associated with humility and teamwork. The cultural context often shapes how "capable" individuals are valued in various settings.
More Information
The word "capable" is used to describe someone who is not just able to complete a task but also skilled, proficient, and competent in doing so. The term is prevalent in professional, academic, and everyday conversations, often implying a high level of competence and the potential for success. In certain contexts, "capable" may also refer to a person's potential to develop or improve abilities over time.