-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.
undeniable (adjective), more undeniable, most undeniable
1. Relating to something which is impossible to disagree with: The band that Carl saw on TV that night had the most undeniable popularity of any of the others he had ever seen before!
2. Etymology: from Latin denegare from de-, "away" + negare, "to refuse, to say no."
2. Etymology: from Latin denegare from de-, "away" + negare, "to refuse, to say no."
undestroyable (adjective), more undestroyable, most undestroyable
1. Unable to damage something so severely that it no longer exists or can never return to its normal condition: The flooding did little damage to the undestroyable building up on the hill.
2. Incapable of completely defeating an enemy or an opponent: In the story that James was reading, the king of the land had an undestroyable army that fought any foe and always won!
3. Subject to lasting a very long time; durable; imperishable: Some rocks are so hard and dense that they are considered to be undestroyable.
2. Incapable of completely defeating an enemy or an opponent: In the story that James was reading, the king of the land had an undestroyable army that fought any foe and always won!
3. Subject to lasting a very long time; durable; imperishable: Some rocks are so hard and dense that they are considered to be undestroyable.
undetectable (adjective), more undetectable, most undetectable
1. Impossible to be noticed or perceived: The thief in the story wore a magic cloak that made him undetectable or invisible so he wouldn't be caught!
A color, for example is undetectable to the touch!
2. Hardly able to be seen or discerned: The fall in the temperature outside was undetectable and could hardly be felt.
undiagnosable (adjective) (not comparable)
Incapable of being identified or determined: The doctors at the hospital were totally at their limits in trying to find out the cause of Sammy's undiagnosable illness, so the testing continued.
unendurable (adjective), more unendurable, most unendurable
Relating to the inability to accept something unpleasant or undesirable: Many people considered the negative statements by the politician to be unendurable attacks about his opponent and so they booed the speaker or walked away from where he was presenting his vociferous and loud remarks.
Oscar's parents went through unendurable agony when they heard that their son had died in a car crash during the night.
unenviable (adjective), more unenviable, most unenviable
1. Not pleasant, not easy, or not likely to be wished for: Hank had the unenviable task of breaking the bad news about the accident to his friend's family.
2. Hard to deal with, especially causing pain or embarrassment: Wayne's brother had the unenviable challenge to significantly reduce his over-weight condition.
3. Not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or to comprehend and to endure: The university students in the computer class were given a difficult and an unenviable task to perform for the professor.
4. Etymology: envy comes from Old French envie "envy, jealousy, rivalry", from Latin invidia, "envy, jealousy", from invidus, "envious", from invidere, "envy"; earlier it meant "look at (with malice), cast an evil eye upon", from in- "on, upon" + videre, "to see".
2. Hard to deal with, especially causing pain or embarrassment: Wayne's brother had the unenviable challenge to significantly reduce his over-weight condition.
3. Not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or to comprehend and to endure: The university students in the computer class were given a difficult and an unenviable task to perform for the professor.
4. Etymology: envy comes from Old French envie "envy, jealousy, rivalry", from Latin invidia, "envy, jealousy", from invidus, "envious", from invidere, "envy"; earlier it meant "look at (with malice), cast an evil eye upon", from in- "on, upon" + videre, "to see".
Unenviable is a combination of un-, "not" + enviable, "a reference to a resentful or unhappy feeling of wanting somebody else's success, good fortune, qualities, or possessions".
unexceptionable (adjective), more unexceptionable, most unexceptionable
Not susceptible to reproach or objection: After the recital, the audience applauded and the critics commented on Mary's unexceptionable and faultless interpretation of Bach's Invention No. 1.
unexceptionable, unexceptional
unexceptionable (uhn" ik SEP shuh nuh buhl) (adjective)
Not likely to cause an objection or offense, but it is usually used to describe something that is good but not outstanding or excellent: The work she did for the company was unexceptionable, however she was able to keep her position because she was dependable and always showed up for work on time.
unexceptional (uhn" ik SEP shuh nuhl) (adjective)
Usually not good, interesting, etc.: As an actress she was unexceptional, but as a singer, she had an exceptional voice.
As an unexceptional banker, she left much to be desired in terms of answering Mr. Smith's questions, however she was unexceptionable when it came to investment management.
unexplainable (adjective), more unexplainable, most unexplainable
Impossible of being accounted for or understood: Jim's parents tried to figure out his unexplainable behavior that day in school, so they went to see his teacher to find out more.
unfashionable (adjective), more unfashionable, most unfashionable
1. Neither stylish nor popular at a particular time: Julie somehow always had a preference for unfashionable clothes, especially those dating back to the period of her grandmother.
2. Unsuitable in regards to social acceptance: Sandy's school friend lived in an unfashionable and tacky part of town across the railroad tracks.
2. Unsuitable in regards to social acceptance: Sandy's school friend lived in an unfashionable and tacky part of town across the railroad tracks.
unfavorable (adjective), more unfavorable, most unfavorable
1. Exhibiting a lack of support or acquiescence: Mrs. Simpson was informed of the unfavorable news that her daughter was getting a divorce from her husband because she like him very much as a son-in-law.
2. Disposed to being adverse or unpromising: The unfavorable weather conditions led to many accidents on the roads, in addition to cars being driven much too fast.
2. Disposed to being adverse or unpromising: The unfavorable weather conditions led to many accidents on the roads, in addition to cars being driven much too fast.
unimaginable (adjective), more unimaginable, most unimaginable
1. Impossible to envisage: Sometimes Mary thought that it was completely unimaginable that there was so much suffering in the world, but true nevertheless.
2. Totally unlikely; impossible, inconceivable: It was unimaginable and out of the question that Jack would get the top scholarship since his grades were not all great and some were under average.
2. Totally unlikely; impossible, inconceivable: It was unimaginable and out of the question that Jack would get the top scholarship since his grades were not all great and some were under average.
unimpeachable (adjective), more unimpeachable, most unimpeachable
1. Impossible to be discredited or challenged: Clifford's information was completely true because it came from an unquestionable and unimpeachable source.
2. Not liable to accusation or denunciation; irreproachable: Jack Star had an unimpeachable reputation because he was reliable, dependable, honest, and trustworthy.
3. Entirely acceptable: When Albert finished his project it was done adequately, up to the teacher's expectations, and was regarded as being unimpeachable, with no parts missing or being imperfect.
2. Not liable to accusation or denunciation; irreproachable: Jack Star had an unimpeachable reputation because he was reliable, dependable, honest, and trustworthy.
3. Entirely acceptable: When Albert finished his project it was done adequately, up to the teacher's expectations, and was regarded as being unimpeachable, with no parts missing or being imperfect.
unimprovable (adjective) (not comparable
Not disposed to melioration or betterment: Over the years Mildred's handwriting proved to be unimprovable although she tried her best to make it more readable.
uninhabitable (adjective), more uninhabitable, most uninhabitable
Not suitable to be occupied or lived in: After the severe flood, Jane's house was uninhabitable and needed major repair jobs done.
