-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.
repealable (adjective) (not comparable)
Capable of being revoked or annulled; revocable: The decision made during the first staff meeting was repealable, and a new decision was made in the next meeting the following month.
reproachable (adjective), more reproachable, most reproachable
Deserving to be rebuked or disapproved of: James acted in a reproachable and shameful way towards his sister and his parents reprimanded him severely.
reprovable (adjective), more reprovable, most reprovable
1. Deserving of reproach: Jack's reprovable and critical utterance was heard throughout the office.
2. Worthy of censure; blameworthy: Mrs. Smart didn't put up with any reprovable conduct among the students in her classroom, and she scolded them severely if they misbehaved.
2. Worthy of censure; blameworthy: Mrs. Smart didn't put up with any reprovable conduct among the students in her classroom, and she scolded them severely if they misbehaved.
repugnable (adjective), more repugnable, most repugnable
Subject to being opposed, contended against, or resisted: The outcome of the election was certainly repugnable, disputed, and challenged by the republican leader of the USA.
reputable (adjective), more reputable, most reputable
1. A reference to something or someone that is trustworthy and honorable: Benjamin is known to be a reputable businessman as a dealer of cars.
2. Etymology: from Latin reputare, "reflect upon"; from re-, "repeatedly" + putare, "to reckon, to consider" + -able, "capable."
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2. Etymology: from Latin reputare, "reflect upon"; from re-, "repeatedly" + putare, "to reckon, to consider" + -able, "capable."
Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
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requitable (adjective), more requitable, most requitable
Capable of being compensated or reimbursed: Mary was happy to have a requitable loan which she repaid the next month.
resolvable (adjective), more resolvable, most resolvable
Suitable to be worked out, cleared up, or analyzed: Mrs. Thompson listened to what the two children were angry about and told them that the issue was resolvable and could be settled in a satisfactory way.
respectable (adjective), more respectable, most respectable
1. Worthy of high regard, admiration, and esteem: Arthur and Meg both came from a good, respectable, and honest family.
2. Presentable: For the ceremony, Mr. Henderson wore his most respectable suit in order to look well-groomed.
3. Reasonable or fair in size or quantity: At the market, Mary received a respectable amount of cherries for the cake she wanted to make that day.
4. Disposed to being correct in conduct or character: Little Johnny put on his most respectable behavior when he went to church that day.
2. Presentable: For the ceremony, Mr. Henderson wore his most respectable suit in order to look well-groomed.
3. Reasonable or fair in size or quantity: At the market, Mary received a respectable amount of cherries for the cake she wanted to make that day.
4. Disposed to being correct in conduct or character: Little Johnny put on his most respectable behavior when he went to church that day.
respectable, respectful, respective
respectable (ri SPEK tuh buhl) (adjective)
1. Proper, typically in reference to one's manners or demeanor: Mark was a respectable young man and considered to be a good catch for the young ladies in the small town.
2. Tolerable, fair in size or amount: Howard's grades at school were considered respectable but not sufficiently strong enough to earn him a scholarship.
2. Tolerable, fair in size or amount: Howard's grades at school were considered respectable but not sufficiently strong enough to earn him a scholarship.
respectful (ri SPEKT fuhl) (adjective)
Descriptive of appreciation or courteous regard for someone: Cleo's respectful questions to the movie star were appreciated and answered thoroughly.
respective (ri SPEK tiv) (adjective)
Belonging to or relating to each one of the people or things that have been mentioned: After the meeting, each person went to his or her respective homes."
They are all very successful in their respective fields of study.
Each of the respective lawyers was regarded as highly respectable in legal circles. Ernest figured that he would have to be very respectful when talking with them.
restrainable (adjective), more restrainable, most restrainable
1. Capable of being held back: Clive knew that his temper was restrainable, especially when he had arguments with his sister.
2. Disposed to being kept under control, or to be kept in check: The restricted amount of Robert's pocket money was restrainable, because when he spent it all, it was gone!
2. Disposed to being kept under control, or to be kept in check: The restricted amount of Robert's pocket money was restrainable, because when he spent it all, it was gone!
retainable (adjective) (not comparable)
1. Subject to being kept in possession of or continue to have: It was possible for Mr. and Mrs. Johnson to sell the house to the new owners, but the property and the large amount of land surrounding the house were retainable and kept in the Johnson family.
2. Able to keep in mind: The memories Lynn had of her parents were retainable because everytime she looked at the photos of them on her desk she remembered all the lovely times she had had with them.
2. Able to keep in mind: The memories Lynn had of her parents were retainable because everytime she looked at the photos of them on her desk she remembered all the lovely times she had had with them.
retraceable (adjective) (not comparable)
1. Possible of being followed back; trackable: After misplacing her cell phone, Judy thought it was retraceable by calling up the number using her landline.
In case the two hikers got lost, the path they took was retraceable when they used the special signs located on the trees.
2. Suitable to rewrite or redraw along existing lines: The spelling exercise book for Jill had retraceable letters for her to move her pencil along.
revealable (adjective) (not comparable)
1. Possible of being made known or disclosed: Becky was in her 5th month of pregnancy and it was already quite revealable!
2. Capable of being seen or shown: Lynn's broken arm was revealable after an x-ray had been performed.
2. Capable of being seen or shown: Lynn's broken arm was revealable after an x-ray had been performed.
reviewable (adjective) (not comparable)
1. Suitable for reconsideration: Jill's exam was good, but her teacher thought it was reviewable in order to make sure that the grade was fair and correct.
2. Able to be reassessed for criticism or correction: The story Jane sent to the magazine was reviewable, so the publishers first scrutinized it and then consented to have it printed in the next edition.
3. Subject to having a critical report about a new work or performance, etc.: Agatha's book, being an excellent one, was reviewable in all the major magazines and newspapers.
4. Regarding an action or determination which can be judicially re-examined for possible errors: The case was reviewable and was to be decided on in court the following week.
2. Able to be reassessed for criticism or correction: The story Jane sent to the magazine was reviewable, so the publishers first scrutinized it and then consented to have it printed in the next edition.
3. Subject to having a critical report about a new work or performance, etc.: Agatha's book, being an excellent one, was reviewable in all the major magazines and newspapers.
4. Regarding an action or determination which can be judicially re-examined for possible errors: The case was reviewable and was to be decided on in court the following week.
revivable (adjective), more revivable, most revivable
1. Able to restore to consciousness or to life: Directly following the car accident, Tim's heart didn't beat anymore, but his existence was revivable due to the quick action of resuscitation by the paramedics.
2. Capable of restoring from a depressed, inactive, or unused state; to bring back normalcy: Jack's life was sluggish and dull and only revivable when he finally found the love of his life!
3 . The ability to renew in the mind or in the memory: Tom's recollections as a boy were revivable after viewing the old photos of his family in the photo album from his deceased parents.
2. Capable of restoring from a depressed, inactive, or unused state; to bring back normalcy: Jack's life was sluggish and dull and only revivable when he finally found the love of his life!
3 . The ability to renew in the mind or in the memory: Tom's recollections as a boy were revivable after viewing the old photos of his family in the photo album from his deceased parents.
