-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.
inoperable (adjective) (not comparable)
1. Too far advanced for effective surgery: An inoperable medical condition is one that has advanced to a stage at which surgical intervention would serve no useful purpose.
2. Neither practical nor workable: The old toaster in Mary's kitchen was inoperable and did not function anymore, even after her brother tried to fix it.
2. Neither practical nor workable: The old toaster in Mary's kitchen was inoperable and did not function anymore, even after her brother tried to fix it.
inquirable (adjective), more inquirable, most inquirable
Relating to something that is researched, such as the data and information of a judicial case: Jeff, the legal assistant, studied all of the inquirable facts of the fraud investigation while preparing briefs and documents for the court.
insatiable (adjective), more insatiable, most insatiable
A reference to wanting as much of something as possible: Monroe has an insatiable desire to get over the pains that he has been suffering since his accident.
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inscribable (adjective) (not comparable)
Capable of being written or engraved: The gravestone that Mr. Smith chose for his deceased wife was inscribable and her name could be carved on it.
inscrutable (adjective), more inscrutable, most inscrutable
1. A reference to being impossible or too difficult to be explained or perceived: The inscrutable financial report by the company was too obscure and too vague for the tax accountants to figure out.
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The police psychiatrist could not understand the killer's inscrutable motives.
2. Mysterious, unfathomable, or physically impenetrable: The teacher spoke so softly that sometimes his lectures were inscrutable by most of the students.Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
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inseparable (adjective), more inseparable, most inseparable
1. Prone to be bound together permanently; not able to be disjoined or treated separately: Doing medical research at the university is certainly inseparable from having studied medicine.
2. Regarding people who are not willing to part company or say goodbye: Sally and Susi were twins, completely inseparable, and always wore the same clothes to school.
2. Regarding people who are not willing to part company or say goodbye: Sally and Susi were twins, completely inseparable, and always wore the same clothes to school.
insoluble, insolvable, insolvent
insoluble (in SAHL yuh buhl) (adjective)
1. Characterizing something that has no explanation or answer: The mathematics problem appeared to the students to be insoluble, so they asked their professor for help.
2. Referring to something which is impossible, or practically impossible, to dissolve in a liquid: The mixture appeared to be insoluble under those test tube conditions.
2. Referring to something which is impossible, or practically impossible, to dissolve in a liquid: The mixture appeared to be insoluble under those test tube conditions.
insolvable (in SAHL vuh buhl) (adjective)
Regarding something which has no solution or answer; not explainable: Ingrid reached an insolvable stalemate while playing her computer solitaire game.
insolvent (in SAHL vuhnt) (adjective)
Concerning the situation of not having sufficient funds to pay debts as they come due; bankrupt; unable to pay an obligation or something that was borrowed: The man was humiliated by having to admit to being insolvent when speaking with his creditors.
Bruce's company became insolvent the previous week.
When the company became insolvent, the directors felt that the situation was insoluble in terms of reporting to the investors. Finally the directors' report was released and it revealed that the status of the company was insolvable.
insolvable (adjective), more insolvable, most insolvable
1. Impossible of being discharged or paid: Jack lost his job and, after telling the bank of his financial difficulties and that his debt on the credit was momentarily insolvable, he asked for a payment extension in order to clear his debt in the future.
2. Not liable to be figured out, deciphered, answered, or explained: Jane thought that the math assignment was insolvable and wanted to ask her teacher the next time the class had math.
2. Not liable to be figured out, deciphered, answered, or explained: Jane thought that the math assignment was insolvable and wanted to ask her teacher the next time the class had math.
insufferable (adjective), more insufferable, most insufferable
1. Pertaining to conditions or people who are too unpleasant to deal with or to accept; intolerable, and difficult to get along with: Laurie exclaimed that the persisting heat wave was insufferable and she could hardly wait for winter to come again.
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Laurenda felt that her supervisor was insufferable because he was always interfering with her work without consulting or discussing it with her.
Nina said she couldn't take any more of her neighbor's insufferable arrogance of having the volume of his TV turned up so loudly almost every night after midnight.
2. Descriptive of a situation which a person finds impossible to endure: Uriah was experiencing an insufferable agony and sadness during the funeral for his wife.Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
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insuperable (adjective), more insuperable, most insuperable
A reference to the inability of overcoming a difficulty or hinderance; insurmountable: The weather suddenly became an insuperable barrier of getting back home as early as Mike and his family had planned.
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Jim's less experienced football team won the championship despite the insuperable odds presented by the more successful team.
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insupportable (adjective), more insupportable, most insupportable
Descriptive of something that cannot be tolerated or which is inexcusable: The long, rambling, radical speeches at the event were insupportable.
insurable (adjective), more insurable, most insurable
Capable of being covered by a financial protection agency: All the staff members and administration of the school are insurable against accidents occurring on the school grounds during school hours.
Lynn was told that her violin was insurable against fire and loss.
insurmountable (in" sur MOUN tuh b'l) (adjective), more insurmountable, most insurmountable
1. Regarding something which cannot be passed over, overcome, or conquered: An insurmountable obstacle and an insurmountable task are both insuperable and invincible.
2. Impossible to master; insuperable; unachievable: Sam had insurmountable difficulties getting back into his house, so he had to call a locksmith.
2. Impossible to master; insuperable; unachievable: Sam had insurmountable difficulties getting back into his house, so he had to call a locksmith.
interchangeable (adjective) (not comparable)
Disposed to being substituted or swapped: At the garage, Jim was told that there were interchangeable and replaceable parts for repairing his car and they wouldn't have to be ordered first.
interminable (adjective), more interminable, most interminable
Characterizing something as being without end; endless: Mr. Smith, the politician, made many feel that it was the most interminable meeting that they had ever attended because he went on and on until many in the audience could hardly stay awake.
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