Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

-able

/ˈebl̩/

Word Rarity Common

Frequency: 5.43 in modern English

Syllables: -able
IPA: /ˈebl̩/

6

Scrabble Score

4

Letters

2

Syllables

4

Unique Chars

Meaning

suffix

Able to be done; fit to be done.

suffix

Relevant to or suitable to, in accordance with.

suffix

Giving, or inclined to.

suffix

Inviting or encouraging a specified behavior.

Colloquial

suffix

suffix

Example Sentences

"move + -able → movable (“able to be moved”)"
"amend + -able → amendable (“able to be amended”)"
"break + -able → breakable (“liable to break”)"
"blame + -able → blamable (“fit to be blamed”)"
"sale + -able → salable (“fit to be sold”)"
"influence + -able → influenceable (“able to be influenced”)"

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *-dʰlom Proto-Italic *-ðlom Proto-Italic *-ðlis Latin -bilis Latin -ābilis Old French -ablebor. Middle English -able English -able Inherited from Middle English -able, borrowed from Old French -able, from Latin -ābilis, from -a- or -i- + -bilis (“capable or worthy of being acted upon”), from Proto-Indo-European i-stem form *-dʰli- of *-dʰlom (“instrumental suffix”). Not closely related etymologically, though currently related semantically, to able. Displaced native Old English -endlīc (equivalent to Modern English -andly, -andlike), and Modern English -worthy.

Origin

Source language: Middle English

Word Breakdown

Root: -able, -ābilis, -

Usage

Colloquial

Inflected Forms

more -able (comparative) most -able (superlative) -ible (alternative, idiomatic)

Phrases

-ability -worthy

Frequently Paired Words

ability -ability able -worthy

Homonyms

able (left pronunciation)

Questions

How do you pronounce -able?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈebl̩/.
What does -able mean?: Able to be done; fit to be done.
Where does -able come from?: It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce -able

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “-able”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈebl̩/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
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Repeat and practice — Say “-able” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.