Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

-ably

/əbli/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 2.67 in modern English

Syllables: -ably
IPA: /əbli/

9

Scrabble Score

4

Letters

2

Syllables

4

Unique Chars

Meaning

suffix

Used to form adverbs corresponding to adjectives that end in -able.

Example Sentences

"suitably"

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 Middle English -ly English -ly English -ably From -able + -ly.

Inflected Forms

-ibly (alternative) -bly (alternative)

Questions

How do you pronounce -ably?: The recorded pronunciation is /əbli/.
What does -ably mean?: Used to form adverbs corresponding to adjectives that end in -able.
Where does -ably come from?: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *-dʰlom Proto-Italic *-ðlom Proto-Italic *-ðlis Latin -bilis Latin -ābilis Old French -ablebor. Middle English -able English -able Middle English -ly English -ly English -ably From -able + -ly.

How to pronounce -ably

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