-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.
disallowable (adjective), more disallowable, most disallowable
Capable of being rejected, dismissed, or prohibited: Jim was caught with disallowable expenses for tax write-offs and had to pay a large fine.
discernible, discernable (adjective); more discernible, more discernable; most discernible, most discernable
Able to be seen, recognized, or understood; perceptible: Tom's handwriting was hardly discernible and Mrs. Smart could hardly read it!
discomfortable (adjective), more discomfortable, most discomfortable
Inclined to cause uneasiness or anxiety: Mary received the discomfortable results of her last exam and feared that she would have to take it again the next semester.
discountable (adjective), more discountable, most discountable
1. Suitable to be reduced in price: The items in the store are all discountable for the customers during the last week of the winter season.
2. Worthy of being decreased, as an interest rate: Certain forms are necessary to render notes discountable at a bank.
2. Worthy of being decreased, as an interest rate: Certain forms are necessary to render notes discountable at a bank.
discreditably (adverb), more discreditably, most discreditably
Regarding how shame or dishonor disgraces someone's good name or reputation; disreputably: Susan's discreditably scandalous behavior caused her to lose her job.
dishonorable (adjective), more dishonorable, most dishonorable
1. Subject to being shameful or disgraceful: Sam's dishonourable and discreditable conduct towards his acquaintances lost him many friends.
2. Referring to someone who lacks integrity and is unprincipled: A dishonourable person is one who is corrupt or crooked and untrustworthy.
2. Referring to someone who lacks integrity and is unprincipled: A dishonourable person is one who is corrupt or crooked and untrustworthy.
dismountable (adjective) (not comparable)
Capable of being taken apart: Jack was interested in old clocks and the one he received from his grandfather was a dismountable one which he disassembled and cleaned.
The tires of the trailer were dismountable and so Tom took them off and replaced them with winter tires.
dispensable (adjective), more dispensable, most dispensable
1. Not essential; unimportant: Margaret had plenty of dispensable items of personal property to leave behind.
2. Capable of being administered, or distributed: Henry picked up the dispensable drugs from the pharmacy.
2. Capable of being administered, or distributed: Henry picked up the dispensable drugs from the pharmacy.
displeasurable (adjective), more displeasurable, most displeasurable
Prone to being offensive: The last few months Jane spent with her husband, whom she shortly thereafter divorced, produced many displeasurable and disagreeable memories.
disportable (adjective), more disportable, most disportable
Characterized by enjoying oneself participating in pleasurable activities or playing in a lighthearted manner: Some people in seaside areas participate in disportable activities by frolicking at the beach with friends and enjoying lively conversation.
disprovable (adjective) (not comparable)
Subject to being invalid: The statement Linda made in court was disprovable and discredited by the lawyers and judge.
disputable (adjective), more disputable, most disputable
1. Capable of being disproved: The amount of money on Linda's bank account was disputable because she didn't check it first before telling her husband and it actually turned out to be less than she admitted in the beginning!
2. Open to argument or debate: Since Joan's plan and notion for spending their money on a swimming pool was questionable and disputable, it was up for discussion in the family.
2. Open to argument or debate: Since Joan's plan and notion for spending their money on a swimming pool was questionable and disputable, it was up for discussion in the family.
disreputable (adjective), more disreputable, most disreputable
1. Tending to lack respectability in character, behavior, or appearance: Jane and Jessie wore the most disreputable and shabby clothes imaginable.
2. Subject to lacking respectability on the basis of past or present actions: Because of a plane crash a month before, the airline became disreputable and not considered safe anymore.
3. Liable to be considered dishonest or illegal; discreditable; dishonorable: The old house seemed to be in a disreputable part of town where many crimes had been committed.
2. Subject to lacking respectability on the basis of past or present actions: Because of a plane crash a month before, the airline became disreputable and not considered safe anymore.
3. Liable to be considered dishonest or illegal; discreditable; dishonorable: The old house seemed to be in a disreputable part of town where many crimes had been committed.
disrespectable (adjective), more disrespectable, most disrespectable
Descriptive of being unworthy of honor or undeserving of approval: Jill's disrespectable reaction to being defeated during the tennis match resulted in her being banned from participating in the next tournament.
dissolvable (adjective), more dissolvable, most dissolvable
Capable of being diluted or dispersed: Some substances are dissolvable in water, like sugar when it disappears by mixing it with boiling water.
