-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.
amiable (adjective), more amiable, most amiable
1. Characteristic of the condition of being friendly and agreeable in feeling and disposition; showing good will; good-natured and likable: Although James and Susan had different opinions regarding housekeeping, they had very amiable cooperation when it came to cooking because they loved doing it together.
2. Conveying cordiality and congeniality with each other: There was an amiable gathering of guests to celebrate Bob's 10th birthday.
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2. Conveying cordiality and congeniality with each other: There was an amiable gathering of guests to celebrate Bob's 10th birthday.
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so you can see more of Mickey Bach's cartoons.
amiable, amicable
amiable (AY mee uh buhl) (adjective)
Friendly and agreeable in disposition; good-natured and likable: Amiable neighbors help make a house a home.
Gail's brother, Luis, has an amiable personality.
amicable (AM i kuh buhl) (adjective)
Characterized by or exhibiting friendliness or goodwill; peaceable, agreeable: If wars are to end, nations must learn amicable means of settling their disputes.
Amiable is more often used to describe people and amicable to describe actions, gestures, etc.
Examples include: The next-door neighbors are amiable people.
The union and the company reached an amicable settlement in their contract dispute.
Because Juanita approached her new, amiable neighbors with an open mind and a plate of muffins, they were able to reach an amicable solution to building a new fence.
amicable (adjective), more amicable, most amicable
1. Characterized by or exhibiting friendliness, good will, and a cordial relationship: The two teenage sisters, who often had arguments with each other, decided to be more amicable with each other in order to avoid having their parents punish them by giving them extra work to do in the house.
2. Relating to behavior between people that is pleasant and friendly, often despite a difficult situation: Jim's manner was perfectly amicable even though he lost the election as the new mayor of his town.
3. Pertaining to an agreement or decision that is achieved without disputes or disagreements: Few people have amicable divorces, but eventually, Joyce and Mark separated in a friendly way.
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2. Relating to behavior between people that is pleasant and friendly, often despite a difficult situation: Jim's manner was perfectly amicable even though he lost the election as the new mayor of his town.
3. Pertaining to an agreement or decision that is achieved without disputes or disagreements: Few people have amicable divorces, but eventually, Joyce and Mark separated in a friendly way.
Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
so you can see more of Mickey Bach's cartoons.
annullable (adjective) (not comparable)
Capable of something being formally revoked or nullified: The marital union was annullable on the grounds that it was not valid at all!
anticipatable (adjective), more anticipatable, most anticipatable
1. A reference to the expectation of an advanced thought, discussion or activity: The delay was not anticipatable at all because of the sudden weather changes.
2. Capable of looking forward to something before a due date: The lovely hike in the woods was certainly anticipatable and Jenny could hardly wait until going on it!
3. A descriptive term for foreseeing and dealing with in advance: The severe snow storm was anticipatable so Jack put his car into the garage before it started.
2. Capable of looking forward to something before a due date: The lovely hike in the woods was certainly anticipatable and Jenny could hardly wait until going on it!
3. A descriptive term for foreseeing and dealing with in advance: The severe snow storm was anticipatable so Jack put his car into the garage before it started.
appealable (adjective), more appealable, most appealable
Regarding a case able to be passed on to a higher court for review: The decision regarding Jeffrey was not appealable and he was sent a denial.
applaudably (adverb), more applaudably, most applaudably
A reference to how a person is worthy of high praise; commendably: Kitty's efforts to save the wildlife in her area was certainly encouraged by the press that applaudably commended and congratulated her with favourable reviews in the local newspaper.
applicable (adjective), more applicable, most applicable
1. Capable of being put into practice; utilized; pertinent; suitable: The laws in Germany are not applicable in Canada and they just don't apply.
2. Being relevant and fitting: Jackie asked, "Is this new information applicable and relevant for my term paper?"
2. Being relevant and fitting: Jackie asked, "Is this new information applicable and relevant for my term paper?"
apportable (adjective), more apportable, most apportable
Pertaining to that which can be brought forward or revealed, especially from the nonmaterial world: The spiritual medium made apportable procedures to communicate with those who were killed in the bomb explosions.
appreciable (adjective), more appreciable, most appreciable
Regarding the amount or effort which is great enough to be significant or can be definitely perceived: The was an appreciable amount of candle light in the room to enjoy the Christmas atmosphere.
approachable (adjective), more approachable, most approachable
1. Accessible; reachable: The town is quite approachable by using the side roads, since the highway is under construction.
2. Easy to talk to or meet: Mrs. Friendly was Jim's teacher and was very nice, open, and approachable for any questions the students, or even the parents, had to ask.
2. Easy to talk to or meet: Mrs. Friendly was Jim's teacher and was very nice, open, and approachable for any questions the students, or even the parents, had to ask.
approvable (adjective), more approvable, most approvable
1. Capable of being confirmed: The newly revised and approvable plan was put into practice immediately.
2. Worthy of being accepted; commendable: An approvable letter of praise was sent to JoLynn for her performance at the recital for being the most improved violist.
2. Worthy of being accepted; commendable: An approvable letter of praise was sent to JoLynn for her performance at the recital for being the most improved violist.
arable (adjective), more arable, most arable
1. Relating to land that is good for farming by producing crops that require plowing and tillage: Although arable earth has been used in many countries for centuries, the technical processes have changed from primitive methods of using animals to pull the plows to modern motorized tractors to accomplish more results for the growing of edible food for the populations of the world.
Some geographical areas are simply too rocky to be arable or farmable.
There are a some nations that have been able to convert some expanses of desert sand into arable soil with special irrigation and agricultural techniques.
Arable farming is essential for the existence or livelihood of people wherever they live in this world.
2. Etymology: the current term of arable may have been introduced in an effort to "correct" the earlier English terms erable, earable derived from Old English erian, "to plow" by replacing it with a Latinate spelling of arable.By the 1700s. erable and its variants stopped being used.
arbitrable (adjective), more arbitrable, most arbitrable
A reference to that which can be decided on or determined: The company and the union felt that the wages and the health benefits were arbitrable.
The arbitrable decision was to be considered by the company's top official for a final settlement with the union.
ascendable, ascendible (adjective), more ascendable, more ascendible; most ascendable, most ascendible
1. Referring to something which can go up or move upward: The path leading into the mountain was ascendable because it had been used before by hikers who wanted to get to the top.
2. Pertaining to anything that is capable of rising from a lower level or station to a higher dimension: The bubbles Jane was creating were quite ascendable and, as a result, they were soaring up into the trees!
2. Pertaining to anything that is capable of rising from a lower level or station to a higher dimension: The bubbles Jane was creating were quite ascendable and, as a result, they were soaring up into the trees!
