-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.
plumbable (adjective) (not comparable)
The ability to determine the depth of water or to establish a true vertical: The oil tank was plumbable to find out the amount of oil that was still in the tank.
polysyllable (noun), polysyllables (pl)
A term having at least three or more units of language larger than a phoneme: Barb's mother thought teenagers and young adults of the SMS age could not use polysyllable words or even be able to write with complete sentences!
The word polysyllable is in itself a polysyllable expression with five syllables!
ponderable (adjective), more ponderable, most ponderable
Worthy of considering something carefully and seriously: A witness under oath in a court must have ponderable answers that are honestly rendered to a judge and a jury.
portable (adjective), more portable, most portable
1. Capable of being carried from place to place or easily carried or conveyed: A picnic is a portable feast that can be enjoyed by family members outdoors in the summer.
2. Pertaining to mechanical or electrical devices that are manufactured in forms smaller and lighter than normal so they can be easily carried around: Many portable devices are being used around the world to digitally transmit music.
2. Pertaining to mechanical or electrical devices that are manufactured in forms smaller and lighter than normal so they can be easily carried around: Many portable devices are being used around the world to digitally transmit music.
potable (adjective), more potable, most potable
Fit to drink, drinkable: The potable white wine served with the dinner was delicious and went well with the fish!
practicable, practical, pragmatic
practicable (PRAK ti kuh buhl) (adjective)
Feasible, possible: In theory, it is practicable for Steve to run the marathon today but in reality, he needs more practice.
practical (PRAK ti kuhl) (adjective)
1. Regarding someone being actively engaged in an action or occupation: Rose worked as a practical nurse at the hospital.
2. Useful; functional; not theoretical: Ingrid had a practical knowledge of auto mechanics which she obtained by working in the garage.
2. Useful; functional; not theoretical: Ingrid had a practical knowledge of auto mechanics which she obtained by working in the garage.
pragmatic (prag MAT ik) (adjective)
1. Concerning thoughts or an approach on issues or problems that exist in a specific situation in a reasonable and logical way, instead of simply depending on ideas and theories: The teacher's pragmatic view of education came from years of working in public schools.
2. Relating to issues or matters of fact, often to the exclusion of intellectual or artistic elements: Susana's approach to the curriculum at school was strictly pragmatic, dealing with the basic subjects of math, science, etc.
2. Relating to issues or matters of fact, often to the exclusion of intellectual or artistic elements: Susana's approach to the curriculum at school was strictly pragmatic, dealing with the basic subjects of math, science, etc.
Mildred's friend was a nurse who took a pragmatic approach to her work. She often said that it was practicable for her to take further training, but she liked her position working as a practical nurse and planned to retire in a couple of years.
precipitable (adjective), more precipitable, most precipitable
Descriptive of that which has been separated and has fallen to the bottom of a solution in a container: The precipitable substances in the test tube sank slowly to the lowest end of the glass cylinder.
1. One of the attributes or characteristics in Aristotelian logic, including designations of genus, species, etc.: The logics professor at the university urged her students to understand the predicables of Aristotelian deductive reasoning.
2. Something which can be stated or that can be said about someone or something: The predicables that Aunt Hattie made about the farm were accurate because she had grown up in an agricultural area.
3. Etymology: from medieval Latin praedicabilis, "able to be affirmed: from Latin praedicare, "to declare"; from prae-, "beforehand" + dicare, "to make known".
2. Something which can be stated or that can be said about someone or something: The predicables that Aunt Hattie made about the farm were accurate because she had grown up in an agricultural area.
3. Etymology: from medieval Latin praedicabilis, "able to be affirmed: from Latin praedicare, "to declare"; from prae-, "beforehand" + dicare, "to make known".
predictable (adjective), more predictable, most predictable
1. Concerning something which happens or turns out in the way that is anticipated or probable: With so much financial backing by special interests, the predictable results of the politician's election were expected.
2. Pertaining to a person or an animal that behaves in a way that is likely to be true: Nancy said she knew her father to be predictable and say that she couldn't go to the dance and stay out until midnight.
2. Pertaining to a person or an animal that behaves in a way that is likely to be true: Nancy said she knew her father to be predictable and say that she couldn't go to the dance and stay out until midnight.
preferable (adjective), more preferable, most preferable
Descriptive of something that is valued above other things, or of something that is superior to something else: Cora decided it was a preferable travel choice to go by train than by bus because it took less time.
prepayable (adjective) (not comparable)
Descriptive of defraying beforehand or before something is due: The order is prepayable, or to be paid in advance, or to be paid after receiving the invoice along with the order.
presentable (adjective), more presentable, most presentable
1. Suitable to be seen in public by being tidy or well-groomed: She had to get up early to make herself presentable before leaving for school.
2. Regarding something that is quite good, satisfactory, or adequate: After having worked 2 months at the cabinet maker's, Sam learned to make some very presentable bookcases!
2. Regarding something that is quite good, satisfactory, or adequate: After having worked 2 months at the cabinet maker's, Sam learned to make some very presentable bookcases!
preservable (adjective) (nor comparable)
Capable of being kept in a certain condition: The peaches were preservable because they could be canned and used at a later date.
preventable, preventible (adjective); more preventable, most preventable; more preventible, most preventible
Concerning something that can be avoided or staved off: Many illnesses are preventable when people are vaccinated.
Many car accidents are preventable by not drinking before driving a vehicle.
probable (adjective), more probable, most probable
1. Likely to occur or to be true: Jack said, "Our basketball team will be the probable winner of the tournament!"
2. Possible but unsure; plausible: It is certainly probable that it will snow in two days.
3. Capable of having more evidence for than against, or having evidence that inclines the mind to a belief but leaves some room for doubt: Jack presumed it was probable that the store would be open at 10 am, but he wasn't sure.
2. Possible but unsure; plausible: It is certainly probable that it will snow in two days.
3. Capable of having more evidence for than against, or having evidence that inclines the mind to a belief but leaves some room for doubt: Jack presumed it was probable that the store would be open at 10 am, but he wasn't sure.
