Skip to content
Vinony

-able

suffix

  1. (having the capability of being subjected to the action to which the suffix attaches)
L457381 on Wikidata ↗

Wiktionary

Pronunciation: /əbl̩/ / /ˈebl̩/ / [eːbɐl]

suffix

Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *-tḗr Proto-Indo-European *-dʰlom Proto-Indo-European *-dʰlis Proto-Italic *-ðlis Latin -bilis Latin -ābilis Old French -ablebor. Middle English -able English -able Inherited from Middle English -able, borrowed from Old French -able, from Latin -ābilis, from -a- or -i- + -bilis (“capable or worthy of being acted upon”), from Proto-Indo-European i-stem form *-dʰli- of *-dʰlom (“instrumental suffix”). Not closely related etymologically, though currently related semantically, to able. Displaced native Old English -endlīc.

  1. Able to be done; fit to be done.

    “move + -able → movable (“able to be moved”)”

    “amend + -able → amendable (“able to be amended”)”

  2. Relevant to or suitable to, in accordance with.

    “fashion + -able → fashionable (“relevant to fashion”)”

    “season + -able → seasonable (“suitable to season”)”

  3. Giving, or inclined to.

    “pleasure + -able → pleasurable (“giving pleasure”)”

    “peace + -able → peaceable (“inclined to peace”)”

  4. Inviting or encouraging a specified behavior.

    “Near-synonym: -er (etymology 1, suffix sense 2)”

    “punch + -able → punchable (“inviting being punched”)”

  5. Subject to.

    “report + -able → reportable (“subject to be reported”)”

    “tax + -able → taxable (“subject to be taxed”)”

  6. Due to be.

    “pay + -able → payable (“due to be paid”)”