-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.
unserviceable (adjective) (not comparable)
1. Not disposed to being used; inoperable: The antiquated locks on the old villa were unserviceable and were replaced with new ones.
2. Not possible to be tuned or overhauled: The outdated car was now unserviceable since the parts were no longer produced.
2. Not possible to be tuned or overhauled: The outdated car was now unserviceable since the parts were no longer produced.
unsociable (adjective), more unsociable, most unsociable
1. Not liking or seeking the company of other people: Sometimes Jane's old aunt was unsociable and wasn't inclined to converse with her family or friends.
2. Not favoring or encouraging friendly or cordial interaction: Lots of people like to play games on their cell phones, which is quite an unsociable activity!
2. Not favoring or encouraging friendly or cordial interaction: Lots of people like to play games on their cell phones, which is quite an unsociable activity!
unstable (adjective), more unstable, most unstable
1. Referring to something or someone that is inclined to change abruptly: The weather was totally unstable that day because the sun was shining one minute, and in the next minute, dark clouds suddenly appeared and it rained!
2. Concerning an item or an object which is infirm or tottery: The camping table was very unstable so Jim had to put a flat piece of wood under one leg to level it.
3. Characteristic of a person whose emotions or behavior are unpredictable: James was very difficult to get along with because his comportment and conduct were totally unstable.
2. Concerning an item or an object which is infirm or tottery: The camping table was very unstable so Jim had to put a flat piece of wood under one leg to level it.
3. Characteristic of a person whose emotions or behavior are unpredictable: James was very difficult to get along with because his comportment and conduct were totally unstable.
untenable (adjective), more untenable, most untenable
1. Referring to a position, situation, or theory which cannot be justified or defended and so it should not be used: James tried to convince his teacher why he couldn’t complete his homework, but what he said was quite untenable, unsound, and groundless.
2. Incapable of being inhabited: The apartments next door to Tom were quite untenable because they lacked the necessary requirements of water and electricity.
© ALL rights are reserved.
Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
2. Incapable of being inhabited: The apartments next door to Tom were quite untenable because they lacked the necessary requirements of water and electricity.
Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
so you can see more of Mickey Bach's cartoons.
unusable (adjective), more unusable, most unusable
Not possible to be employed or not functional: Mary's bathroom was unusable because it was being renovated.
unviolable (adjective), more unviolable, most unviolable
1. Disposed to being secure from destruction, violence, infringement, or desecration: The two children divided their room into two unviolable sides, and promised never to touch, alter, steal, or take anything from the other one's private side unless asked.
2. Incorruptible; unassailable: The Pope may never be assaulted because he is unviolable and untouchable.
2. Incorruptible; unassailable: The Pope may never be assaulted because he is unviolable and untouchable.
urinable (adjective) (not comparable)
Possible of being eliminated by the watery fluid which is stored in the bladder: If a kidney stone is small enough, it is uinable by using the correct medicine and drinking a lot of tea.
usable (adjective), more usable, most usable
1. Suitable and good enough to employ or to put into service; serviceable: The hedge trimmer was still usable although it hadn't been sharpened in the past year.
2. Operable; functional: Clive's car was usable because it had been repaired at the garage the other day.
3. Practical and convenient for utilizing: The classroom was large enough to be usable by all the students with enough desks for everyone.
2. Operable; functional: Clive's car was usable because it had been repaired at the garage the other day.
3. Practical and convenient for utilizing: The classroom was large enough to be usable by all the students with enough desks for everyone.
usable, useful
usable (YOO zuh buhl) (adjective)
Capable of being employed or in good enough condition to be employed: The antique coffee grinder was still quite usable and Jack utilized it to grind his coffee every morning for breakfast.
useful (YOOS fuhl) (adjective)
Regarding something which helps to do or to achieve a purpose: It is quite useful to type texts on the computer because, for one thing, correcting mistakes is much easier.
Please make yourself useful. You can wash the kitchen utensils which are very usable even though they are old.
utilizable (adjective) (not comparable)
Capable of being put into service: Utilizable energy is slowly but surely diminishing throughout the years.
vaccinable (adjective), more vaccinable, most vaccinable
1. Able to be successfully inoculated: Not all medications are vaccinable, many must be taken in the form of a pill.
2. Capable of being immunized against something: Some types of influenza are vaccinable which protect people to a certain degree from getting the flu.
2. Capable of being immunized against something: Some types of influenza are vaccinable which protect people to a certain degree from getting the flu.
valuable (adjective), more valuable, most valuable
1. Of high monetary or material preciousness: Mrs. Green has a diamond ring which is very valuable, so she takes very good care of it.
2. Of great importance, utility, or service: Molly's mother offered her some very valuable advice regarding her educational possibilities.
3. Worthy of having admirable or esteemed qualities or characteristics: Lynn, whose eyesight is not so good, has very valuable neighbors who take her with them when they go shopping.
2. Of great importance, utility, or service: Molly's mother offered her some very valuable advice regarding her educational possibilities.
3. Worthy of having admirable or esteemed qualities or characteristics: Lynn, whose eyesight is not so good, has very valuable neighbors who take her with them when they go shopping.
vanquishable (adjective), more vanquishable, most vanquishable
1. Susceptible to being defeated: People are vanquishable and vincible, but ideas, hopes, and dreams are not.
2. Capable of gaining mastery over something: Celia knew her fear of deep water could be vanquishable and overcome once she took swimming lessons.
2. Capable of gaining mastery over something: Celia knew her fear of deep water could be vanquishable and overcome once she took swimming lessons.
variable (adjective), more variable, most variable
1. Indicating a tendency to deviate, as from a normal or recognized type; aberrant; a description of a species that tends to differ in some way from what is usual: The weather in many areas of the country seems to be quite variable because one day it is nice and warm and then the next day it is gray with cold winds!
2. Characteristic of something that is able, or liable, to change suddenly and unpredictably, or likely to change often: The stock market has variable investments with profits going up and then down, often as a result of statements made by certain government agencies.
3. Descriptive of anything that is inconsistent or uneven in quality or performance; not always the same: Joan's savings account has a variable interest rate which fluctuates daily.
© ALL rights are reserved.
Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
2. Characteristic of something that is able, or liable, to change suddenly and unpredictably, or likely to change often: The stock market has variable investments with profits going up and then down, often as a result of statements made by certain government agencies.
3. Descriptive of anything that is inconsistent or uneven in quality or performance; not always the same: Joan's savings account has a variable interest rate which fluctuates daily.
Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
so you can see more of Mickey Bach's cartoons.
vendable (adjective), more vendable, most vendable
Fit for sale; sellable; marketable: The fresh vegetables brought in from the farm were all vendable, or vendible, in the grocery shop around the corner.
