-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.
imaginable (adjective), more imaginable, most imaginable
A reference to that which is conceivable: On their camping trip to the mountains, Jack and Jill enjoyed the most fantastic views imaginable from the mountain peaks.
immalleable (adjective), more immalleable, most immalleable
Incapable of being hammered out; unyielding to force; not pliable; not workable or soft: The dough that Jane prepared the day before was dry and immalleable and she was not able to continue making the pie crusts.
immensurable (adjective), more immensurable, most immensurable
Not capable of being calculated in regards to space, intensity or quantity: Outer space is considered to be immensurable or immeasurable.
immitigable (adjective), more immitigable, most immitigable
Incapable of being alleviated, weakened, or softened: James and Jane had to endure immitigable circumstances and so they were unable to pay their bills because of their financial losses.
immortable (adjective) (not comparable)
Having the capacity to live after death: In the story Jane was reading, the author described the fairy as being immortable and able to continue dwelling with the others in the fairy family.
immortalizable (adjective), more immortalizable, most immortalizable
Capable of becoming timeless or everlasting: Tom didn't think that people were immortalizable and able to exist as eternal beings after deceasing from the world.
immovable (adjective), more immovable, most immovable
1. Incapable of moving; motionless: The very old rusty car was immovable, so it it had to be towed away.
2. Insusceptible of changing one's attitude about something; steadfast: Judy was totally immovable and determined in her opinion that Jack was the love of her life.
3. Inability of being transported; firmly fixed: A mountain is certainly an immovable object!
2. Insusceptible of changing one's attitude about something; steadfast: Judy was totally immovable and determined in her opinion that Jack was the love of her life.
3. Inability of being transported; firmly fixed: A mountain is certainly an immovable object!
immutable (adjective), more immutable, most immutable
Pertaining to conditions that can't be changed, and so they are stable, permanent, or perpetual: Unfortunately, there are many immutable things in this world that all of us must learn to live with whether we like them or not.
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All societies have people with immutable habits which can cause problems when their leaders want to make changes that could improve the equality of life for everyone.
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so you can see more of Mickey Bach's cartoons.
impalatable (adjective), more impalatable, most impalatable
1. Regarding food which is not tasteful: unpalatable: The very old and dry piece of cheese was totally impalatable and had to be thrown away.
2. Pertaining to something not acceptable to the mind or to the senses: In the changing room at the gym, the odor of the athletes was impalatable and disgusting.
2. Pertaining to something not acceptable to the mind or to the senses: In the changing room at the gym, the odor of the athletes was impalatable and disgusting.
impalpable (adjective), more impalpable, most impalpable
1. A reference to an incapability of perceiving something by the sense of touch; intangible or untouchable: People have to accept the fact that there could be impalpable spirits because there is no way we can feel them.
2. Pertaining to something which is difficult for the mind to grasp readily or easily: The impalpable distinctions of the word meanings of homonyms can be confusing, especially for foreigners who are learning English.
3. Descriptive of something impossible to detect by touching it because it is extremely fine or small: The flour that Jim was rubbing between his fingers was so impalpable that no grit could be felt.
4. Etymology: from Late Latin directly, or via French, impalpabilis; literally, "not touchable" from in, "not" + palpare, "to touch gently".
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2. Pertaining to something which is difficult for the mind to grasp readily or easily: The impalpable distinctions of the word meanings of homonyms can be confusing, especially for foreigners who are learning English.
3. Descriptive of something impossible to detect by touching it because it is extremely fine or small: The flour that Jim was rubbing between his fingers was so impalpable that no grit could be felt.
4. Etymology: from Late Latin directly, or via French, impalpabilis; literally, "not touchable" from in, "not" + palpare, "to touch gently".
Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
so you can see more of Mickey Bach's cartoons.
impassable (adjective), more impassable, most impassable
Impossible of being negotiated or crossed; unsurmountable: Parts of the road leading up the mountain were impassable due to a landslide obstructing the way.
The group of friends wanted to climb up to the peak of the mountain but were told that it was impassable because of heavy snow during the night.
impassable, impassible, impossible
impassable (im PAS uh buhl) (adjective)
Pertaining to something which is unable to be traveled or overcome: The severe snowstorm made the roads in the mountains impassable.
impassible (im PAS i buhl) (adjective)
Characterized as being incapable of feelings; immune to pain or suffering: Tamika's face was a masque, impassible to the suffering around her.
impossible (im PAHS i buhl) (adjective)
Unacceptable, awkward, incapable of happening: Up to 1969, it was believed that it was impossible to fly to the moon.
It was impossible to read Eric's impassible expression at the news of the efforts of his friends to cross the impassable mountain pass during the winter.
impeachable (adjective), more impeachable, most impeachable
1. Capable of bringing a formal charge against a government officer for misconduct or corruption: There has been much talk about the present President being impeachable regarding his latest active wrongdoings.
2. Disposed to or deserving to warrant an accusation or an indictment: The offence committed was certainly impeachable as defined and explained in the constitution.
2. Disposed to or deserving to warrant an accusation or an indictment: The offence committed was certainly impeachable as defined and explained in the constitution.
impeccable (im PEK uh b'l) (adjective), more impeccable, most impeccable
1. Descriptive of something so perfect or flawless as to be beyond criticism: Sam had an impeccable record as a reliable mail carrier in Helena's neighborhood.
2. Concerning something or someone being without faults or errors: Dr. Brown’s reputation as an impeccable physician makes him a desirable consultant for other medical doctors.
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2. Concerning something or someone being without faults or errors: Dr. Brown’s reputation as an impeccable physician makes him a desirable consultant for other medical doctors.
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for a list of additional Mickey Bach illustrations.
imperishable (adjective) (not comparable)
1. Not liable to decay or to disintegrate: The special diamond that Jim gave his girlfriend was supposed to be imperishable and everlasting!
2. Disposed to surviving perpetually: Johann Sebastian Bach's fame as a composer is imperishable among all musicians and music students.
2. Disposed to surviving perpetually: Johann Sebastian Bach's fame as a composer is imperishable among all musicians and music students.
