-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.

extinguishable (adjective) (not comparable)
1. Possible to be destroyed or quenched: The candles on the table were extinguishable and were blown out before leaving the room.
2. Capable of putting an end to something: Tom's hope of marrying Susan turned out to be extinguishable due to her sudden death.
extirpable (adjective) (not comparable)
Disposed to being completely wiped out or destroyed; exterminable: Heather was hoping that the poisonous plant in her garden was extirpable and rooted out completely in order to prevent any harm to her children playing there.
fashionable (adjective), more fashionable, most fashionable
1.Pertaining to a contemporary and popular style: Ruth was certainly wearing the most fashionable and elegant dress at the prom.
2. Concerning a current use or custom at a certain time: Jane said that possessing an expensive smart phone was a very fashionable thing to have.
favorable (adjective), more favorable, most favorable
1. Characterized by approval or support; positive: Doug received a favorable report regarding the completion of his project.
2. Relating to approval and admiration; pleasing: Sally made a favorable and delightful impression.
3. Concerning the advantage, opportunity, or convenience of something or someone; advantageous: Cathy's father has a favorable position in his company.
4. A reference to a request resulting in the granting of what is desired: Lois Hathaway was certainly very happy with the favourable acceptance of her application to college.
5. Suggestive of something boding well; propitious: The signs are favorable for a new start.
fermentability (s) (noun), fermentabilities (pl)
The capability of producing gradual chemical changes in which bacteria, enzymes, etc., change sugar into alcohol and produce carbon dioxide: The fermentability of yeasts can be seen in certain foods when alcohol is produced.

Fermentability is possible in a process resulting in alcoholic beverages, such as beer, wine, and whiskey.

fermentable (adjective), more fermentable, most fermentable
Pertaining to the decomposition of organic compounds: There are fermentable changes that take place when glucose is converted into ethyl alcohol through the action of yeast or bacteria.

Yoghurt is a result of fermentable milk with bacteria.

Wine comes from leaving fermentable grape juice to chemically change when all of the sugar has turned into alcohol.

fixable (adjective), more fixable, most fixable
1. Relating to something which can be established or rendered firm: Tom pitched a tent, but it wasn’t secure, so he decided to try again and, since it was fixable, he pounded the stakes into the ground a second time.
2. Capable of being repaired or restored: Since there was only a minor problem with the coffee machine, the company thought it was fixable and so they quickly repaired it.
flammable (adjective), more flammable, most flammable
Referring to something that is easily set on fire; combustible; inflammable: Many things are flammable, such as gasoline, dry grass, or old and dry branches, or wood and, of course, a match!
flammable, inflammable, nonflammable
flammable (FLAM uh buhl) (adjective)
Pertaining to something which is capable of being set on fire and of burning quickly: Gasoline is a very flammable liquid.
inflammable (in FLAM uh buhl) (adjective)
Easily excited, aroused, or angered: "Roy had an inflammable temper when he felt he was being wronged" is a proper usage, but it should no longer be used with reference to something that will not burn.

The word inflammable actually means "able to burn"; while "nonflammable" means "unable or unlikely to burn".

The prefix "in-", used with inflammable is an intensifier not a "negative" as with such words as "inhospitable", "inhuman", "insensible", "indecent", "inadequate", etc. It has been a mistake believed by many people that inflammable meant "not flammable" and some serious injuries resulted over the years because of this misunderstanding.

As a consequence, many English-speaking countries passed laws that have required manufacturers of materials and substances that burn easily to use the word "flammable" in place of inflammable, which is considered less ambiguous or confusing.

So remember that inflammable comes from "inflame", which, in this case, means "to set on fire" and not from "in-", "not" + "flammable", "combustible".

nonflammable (nahn FLAM uh buhl) (adjective)
Descriptive of something that is not readily ignited and so it does not burn easily: It is much more realistic that people use nonflammable or "non-flammable" instead of inflammable when they mean that something cannot burn or is very difficult to burn.

In the confusion at the store, which was caused by a customer's inflammable temper, Joseph was unable to read the sign to see if the can of solvent was flammable or nonflammable.

flocculable (adjective), more floccuable, most flocculable
Capable of becoming a woolly or clot-like mass: The flocculable particles of clay turned into small lumps.
fluctuability (s) (noun) (no pl)
The capacity to make frequent and irregular changes; able to make a variety of movements or actions: The fluctuability that an owl shows with turning its head in an almost complete circle is something that really catches one's eyes!

Long stems of grass or grain growing on the fields show a great amount of fluctuability when the wind blows and causes the long stems to turn in all directions.

forfeitable (adjective), more forfeitable, most forfeitable
Capable of something being given up or lost because of an offence or error: All items not permitted into the country can be forfeitable or confiscatable by customs.
formidable (FOHR mi duh buhl, fohr MID uh buhl) (adjective), more formidable, most formidable
1. Descriptive of something which is difficult to deal with or to overcome: Preparing for war is a formidable task for any country.
2. Relating to something which inspires respect or wonder because of size, strength, or ability: Shirley exhibited a formidable display of skill whenever she worked with her computer.
3. A reference to the anxiety of fear, dread, or alarm: A fratricide, or the killing of one's brother, became a formidable concern by the killer's sister because the murderer still had not been apprehended by the police.
4. Etymology: from Latin formidabilis from formidare, "to fear, to dread".
Relating to causing fear or being felt as dangerous.
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frequentable (adjective), more frequentable,most frequentable
Possible of being accessible or easily approached: The entrance to the bank is quite frequentable by using the few steps, ramp, and the door which opens automatically when the big button is pressed.
frigostable (adjective), more frigostable, most frigostable
Resistant to low temperatures or iciness: The coat Tony bought for his trip to Canada in the winter was of a frigostable fabric and could be washed easily.