-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.
mensurable (adjective), more mensurable, most mensurable
1. Possible of being assessed; measurable: The growth of the children was mensurable and was written on the door frame every year!
2. Possessing a fixed rhythm and measure in music: The mensurable piece Joan was practicing had notes in a structured and uninterrupted and constant manner.
2. Possessing a fixed rhythm and measure in music: The mensurable piece Joan was practicing had notes in a structured and uninterrupted and constant manner.
merchandisable (adjective), more merchandisable, most merchandisable
Concerning an article which can be used or transferred as a consumer durable: Such items, as hardware and dry goods, are considered to be merchandisable because they are available to be purchased in stores, shops, and on the internet.
merchantable (adjective), more merchantable, most merchantable
Descriptive of a commodity which is appropriate for selling at a standard or normal price: The clothes Mary made were of merchantable quality, possessing enough superiority and refinement to be purchased by customers at the boutique in town.
meritable (adjective), more meritable, most meritable
Deserving of a reward or praise: Anita's art project was certainly meritable, having met all the qualifications needed and she was worthy of winning a scholarship to a famous school of art!
miserable (adjective), more miserable, most miserable
1. Characterizing a deplorable state of distress or misfortune: In class, the students learned more about the refugees and the miserable and dreadful circumstances they had to live in.
2. Contemptibly small in amount: Jack brought home only one carrot and some old lettuce, a really miserable supply of vegetables, because everything had already been sold out at the market.
3. Deserving or inciting pity: Jane commented, "We have too many miserable victims in the Iraq war."
4. Of very poor quality or condition: After reading the novel, Jim thought that it was the most miserable one he had ever read!
5. Causing or accompanied by discomfort, unpleasantness, or unhappiness; Jack never wanted to talk about the miserable time he had during childhood.
6. Inadequate, often insulting or embarrassing, in quantity or quality: The neighbors often commented on Sam's miserable neglect of his children since his wife died.
2. Contemptibly small in amount: Jack brought home only one carrot and some old lettuce, a really miserable supply of vegetables, because everything had already been sold out at the market.
3. Deserving or inciting pity: Jane commented, "We have too many miserable victims in the Iraq war."
4. Of very poor quality or condition: After reading the novel, Jim thought that it was the most miserable one he had ever read!
5. Causing or accompanied by discomfort, unpleasantness, or unhappiness; Jack never wanted to talk about the miserable time he had during childhood.
6. Inadequate, often insulting or embarrassing, in quantity or quality: The neighbors often commented on Sam's miserable neglect of his children since his wife died.
mitigable (adjective), more mitigable, most mitigable
Relating to something that can be alleviated or made less serious or painful: The terrible oder was mitigable by putting a handkerchief up to her nose.
mixable, mixible (adjective); more mixable, more mixible; most mixable, most mixible
Capable of being combined, mingled, or blended: All the ingredients for the cake are mixable, and to make it easier, let the butter soften first before adding it along with the other wet ingredients.
mobile, mobile, movable
mobile (MOH buhl, MOH beel", MOH bighl") (noun)
An artistic creation assembled and hung from a ceiling to balance and move in the wind: The mobile of paper birds moved gently in the breeze outside on the veranda.
mobile (MOH buhl, MOH beel", MOH bighl") (adjective)
1. Characteristic of the mixture of social groups or people: James and Jane were an upwardly mobile couple and soon moved to a new neighborhood.
2. Changeable, versatile: Kevin's mobile facial features were an asset for his acting career.
3. Descriptive of something which is capable of being moved: Shelby had a mobile telephone in her purse which she often used.
2. Changeable, versatile: Kevin's mobile facial features were an asset for his acting career.
3. Descriptive of something which is capable of being moved: Shelby had a mobile telephone in her purse which she often used.
movable (MOOH vuh buhl) (adjective)
Pertaining to something which is not fixed, not permanent, and able to be transferred to a different location: During Lucinda's summer vacations, she lived in a movable home which was located on the shores of a nearby lake.
The local artist was commissioned to create a large mobile to hang in the central hall of the bank. This mobile was made of lightweight materials which made it easily movable from the studio for installation.
moldable (adjective), more moldable, most moldable
Suitable of being modeled or shaped by using a soft material: The clay that Mike was using was moldable, or mouldable, because it was pliant enough to be formed with his hands.
monosyllable (adjective), monosyllables (pl)
A meaningful expression using one language or linguistic unit which is larger than a phoneme: Many words are monosyllables, such as "good", "yes", and "no".
mortgageable (adjective) (not comparable)
Susceptible, or capable, of being hypothecated: Jack thought that his house was mortgageable since he wanted to ask his bank for a sizable loan.
movable (adjective), more movable, most movable
1. Disposed to being lifted, drawn, conveyed, or made to change place: All movable modes of transportation, such as bikes and scooters, were put into a shed.
2. Possible to alter a time or date to another: The banquet is, of course, movable so that it won't coincide with the graduation ceremonies.
2. Possible to alter a time or date to another: The banquet is, of course, movable so that it won't coincide with the graduation ceremonies.
mutable (adjective), more mutable, most mutable
1. Descriptive of something that is likely to change very often: The government's mutable policies regarding economic plans can be very disturbing for a lot of people.
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The mutable weather is present just about everywhere in the world because it is rarely the same from one day to the next.
2. Inconsistent, unstable, or fickle: Mac's psychiatric counselor told him that he has a mutable nature that makes him unsuitable for marriage.Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
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narratable (adjective), more narratable, most narratable
Suitable to be reported or described: The voyage that Carol went on during one summer was certainly narratable, and so she wrote a long descriptive account of her journey.
navigable (adjective), more navigable, most navigable
1. Subject to be wide and deep enough to allow passage for vessels: The navigable river seemed to extend far downward and was adequately broad for ships to pass each other on the way to their destinations.
2. Capable of moving around on a website: Some internet portals are very navigable and easy to understand.
3. Suitable to be directed or steered: Cars, trucks, and planes are all navigable because they all can be manoeuvred in a controlled manner.
4. Possible to be steerable; seaworthy: The ferryboat James was on proved to be quite navigable through the broad river.
2. Capable of moving around on a website: Some internet portals are very navigable and easy to understand.
3. Suitable to be directed or steered: Cars, trucks, and planes are all navigable because they all can be manoeuvred in a controlled manner.
4. Possible to be steerable; seaworthy: The ferryboat James was on proved to be quite navigable through the broad river.
