able
/ˈeɪbəl/
adjective
Origin
Latin
habilis — easily handled, apt, fit
Overview
Meaning Now
- Having the power, skill, means, or opportunity to do something.
- Having significant skill, talent, or competence.
Language path
Latin → Old French → English
Earliest form
able
Earliest period
14th century
Journey
The spelling 'able' was heavily influenced by the Latin 'habilis', despite the original French form 'habile'. The 'h' was dropped in English due to confusion with the suffix '-able', which also shares a root but evolved separately through the French '-able' (from Latin '-abilis').
Evolution
- Latin
habilis
“handy, easy to handle”
From 'habere' (to have/hold).
- Old French
habile
“fit, suitable”
- Middle English
able
“fit, capable”
Influenced by Latin 'habilis' through scholarly re-latinization.
Connections
Word parts
abl-
root
power or capacity
-e
ending
adjectival suffix
Related across languages
French
habile
skillful
Spanish
hábil
skillful
Related words
Explore next
Related to able
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.