-able

(Latin: a suffix; expressing capacity, fitness to do that which can be handled or managed, suitable skills to accomplish something; capable of being done, something which can be finished, etc.)

A suffix that forms adjectives. The suffix -ible has related meanings; expressing ability, capacity, fitness; capable of, fit for, able to be done, can be done, inclined to, tending to, given to.

This list is only a small sample of the thousands of -able words that exist in English.

abdicable (AB di kuh buhl) (adjective), more abdicable, most abdicable
A reference to that which can be discarded, renounced, relinquished, or not wanted: Gina's abdicable responsibilities had been an excessive burden for her, so she had no regrets when she left her position as manager of the two stores.
-able (uh buhl; depending on the word to which it is attached)
A suffix that forms adjectives from verbs and nouns.
1. That which can be — ed: Enjoyable = that which can be enjoyed.
2. Giving —; suitable for —: Comfortable = giving comfort.
3. Inclined to — ed: Peaceable = inclined to peace.
4. Deserving to be — ed: Lovable = deserving to be loved.
5. Liable to be — ed: Breakable = liable to be broken.
abolishable (adjective), more abolishable, most abolishable
Descriptive of something which can be done away with wholly or made void, such as the end of a law, a system, a custom, or an institution: Congress determined that the abolishable legislation should be terminated.

The antiquated system of managing public transportation is an abolishable system so it should be replaced.

abominable (adjective), more abominable, most abominable
1. Loathsome, extremely repugnant, reprehensible, shocking, or offensive: Murder is considered to be one of the most abominable crimes committed by anyone.

Nathan had the abominable habit of chewing his fingernails in public.

2. Extremely unpleasant or of very bad quality, or very unpleasant to experience: The abominable food that was served in the restaurant tasted terrible and Jim told the manager that he could be sure that he and his wife would never go there again.

The abominable weather during the summer was the worst that people had experienced in a long time.

3. Referring to a bad omen; nasty and disgusting; vile; loathsome: The flood included abominable sewerage that had flowed into the basements and ground floor rooms of the houses.
4. Pertaining to a statement that describes something that is deplorable, shocking, or awful: That the homeless were forced out of the shelter this winter was an abominable decision.
5. Etymology: derived from Latin abominari, "to detest something as an ill omen".

From the 14th until the 17th century, the word was spelled abhominable because people thought it came from the Latin phrase ab homine, meaning "away from man", and so, "inhuman, beastly".

Very unpleasant.
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abradable (adjective), more abradable, most abradable
1. Regarding something which is capable of wearing down or rubbing away by friction; able to erode: The stones in the river were quite abradable through the constant movement of the stream and becoming quite smooth over time.
2. Pertaining to something which makes weary through constant irritation; to wear down spiritually: The constant bickering of her parents proved to be quite abradable on Valerie causing her to be very tired, cross, irritated, and very annoyed with her parents.
acceptable (adjective), more acceptable, most acceptable
1. Relating to something that is worth having: As a supervisor, Mr. Scott always has socially acceptable behavior and he strives to come up with acceptable solutions to problems with his workers.
2. Pertaining to that which is fairly good or satisfactory: Mildred had an acceptable musical performance, although it was not considered to be an outstanding one.

As a tennis player, Joe's daughter played an acceptable game in her first competition with a more experienced woman.

accountable (adjective), more accountable, most accountable
1. Subject to the obligation to report, to explain, or to justify something; being responsible; answerable: Mr. Smith, John's teacher in school, is accountable for teaching up to the best of his ability.
2. Capable of being explained; explicable; explainable: The delay in naming the winners of the sports contest were accountable, if considering the importance of the president's speech at the graduation ceremony.
accusable (adjective), more accusable, most accusable
Regarding something or someone liable to be blamed or accused: For the police it was most important to catch the culprit and not someone else who was not accusable for the theft.
acidifiable (adjective), more acidifiable, most acidifiable
Capable of being converted into, or of combining so as to form an acid: A lot of cheeses are acidifiable by bacteria, and can change milk sugars into lactic acid, and, with the addition of rennet, the curdling is accomplished.
acquaintable (adjective), more acquaintable, most acquaintable
Pertaining to a person who is easy to be acquainted with; affable: Meg told Susan that the people at the party were all her friends and very acquaintable ones who were all very friendly, cordial, and sociable.
acquirable (adjective), more acquirable, most acquirable
Descriptive of something that can be secured; available; obtainable: Owning the silver pitcher seemed to be the most acquirable object for the bidder at the auction.
adaptable (adjective), more adaptable, most adaptable
A reference to the accommodation of character, nature, or design to a certain use, situation, or purpose: The computer program that Paul is using is adaptable to the needs of many users.
adjustable (adjective), more adjustable, most adjustable
1. Concerning something which can be changed in shape, size, or position according to what is wanted or needed: The hearing aids that Lynn has are quite adjustable to noise volume and music.
2. The ability to adapt or to conform to a situation: Virginia's parents were quite adaptable to the new and different environment of living in Canada in comparison to the life in southern California!
3. Capable of being modified: The adjustable seat belts in Robert's car were great, providing security for adults and for children.
4. Regarding loans, mortgages, etc. having a flexible rate, as one based on money market interest rates or on the rate of inflation or cost of living: The loan was quite adjustable, or able to be regulated to the interest rates, depending on many factors.
admirable (adjective), more admirable, most admirable
1. Worthy of the highest esteem or respect: Dependableness at completing his assignments was Jack'a most admirable quality.
2. Inspiring approval and admiration: The TV documentary did a more admirable job of showing what actually happened than what the government reports did.
admittable (adjective), more admittable, most admittable
Capable of being allowed to enter; admissible: The only people who were admittable, or permitted entrance, were the ones with tickets bought prior to the performance.