-able a suffix meaning “capable of, susceptible of, fit for, tending to, given to,” associated in meaning with the word able, occurring in loanwords
Loanword
A loanword (also loan word or loan-word) is a word adopted from another language (the donor language) and incorporated into a recipient language without translation. It is distinguished from a calque (loan translation), which is a word or phrase whose meaning or idiom is adopted from another language by translation into existing words or roots of the recipient language.
What does the suffix able means?
The suffixes “-able” and “-ible” are both used to form adjectives meaning “possible, capable of, suitable for, or causing.” Of the two, “-able” is much more common: it is what's known as a “living” or “productive” suffix, meaning that it is still being used to create new words.
What do the suffixes able mean?
What is an able suffix? -able. a suffix meaning “capable of, susceptible of, fit for, tending to, given to,” associated in meaning with the word able, occurring in loanwords from Latin (laudable); used in English as a highly productive suffix to form adjectives by addition to stems of any origin (teachable; photographable).
How do you spell use with the suffix able?
- When the base word is a complete and recognizable word, you will usually use -able.
- When the base word ends in -e, you should remove then -e, then add -able. ...
- If you must double the final consonant of the base word or change the final -yto i, add -able.
- In general, -ibleis less common and the base word is not a complete and recognizable word. ...
What does the prefix able mean?
This prefix can also take three other forms, depending on the letter it precedes:
- oc-before roots beginning with c-
- of-before roots beginning with f-
- op-before roots beginning with p-
How do you use the suffix able?
Use the –able ending if the root word is not changed e.g. comfort – comfortable. Use the –able ending if there is a related word that ends in –ation e.g. consideration – considerable. Use the –ible ending when you can't hear a whole root word e.g invisible.
What are examples of the suffix able?
Several hundred words contain these suffixes, of which a very few other examples are allowable, combustible, conceivable, enjoyable, gullible, legible, practicable, seasonable, soluble, visible, and washable.
What are 5 words that end with able?
comfortablecomfortable.sustainable.unfavorable.accountable.respectable.fashionable.unavailable.practicable.More items...
What is the noun for able?
abilityable is an adjective that usually comes after some form of be, ably is an adverb, ability is a noun:John is able to run fast. He did the work ably and efficiently. John has the ability to run fast.
What does "able" mean in a sentence?
Words ending in “-able” or “-ible”. The suffixes “-able” and “-ible” are both used to form adjectives meaning “possible, capable of, suitable for, or causing.”. Of the two, “-able” is much more common: it is what’s known as a “living” or “productive” suffix, meaning that it is still being used to create new words.
What is the most common spelling change made to a word when “-able” is attached?
The most common spelling change made to a word when “-able” is attached is for silent E to be omitted from the end of the word and replaced with the suffix (though this is not always the case). For example:
Why is it so hard to remember which suffix is correct?
Because they are spelled so similarly and have the same pronunciation ( /əbəl/ ), it can sometimes be hard to remember which is the correct one to use. Unfortunately, there are not very many conventions we can follow to know which suffix to use (and those that do exist are not always reliable).
What does "ible" mean in spelling?
Sometimes an “-ible” word is related to an existing base word, but the spelling must change slightly to accommodate it. This also occurs with certain words when they attach to “-able” (e.g., when the suffix replaces “-ate” or “-y” becomes “-i-”), but “-ible” can result in much more drastic changes to the spelling of the base word.
What does "defensible" mean?
Defensible is generally used to describe something that is capable of being defended through logical (i.e., non-physical) means, such as an idea or a decision. While it can also relate to physical defense (such as in combat), the former meaning is much more common.
What is the silent E in the word ageing?
discoura ged, discoura ging. mana ged, mana ger, mana ging. (*In British English, the silent E is usually kept in the word ageing, whereas it is usually omitted in American English.) While most common when coming after C/G + E, this convention of keeping E before “-able” does occur after other consonants as well.
Why do we use "able" and "ible"?
Because “-able” is so commonly used with existing base words, the most common tip to remembering the “-ible” variation is that it is usually used with Latin roots that cannot stand alone as words.
What prefixes can be added to the word "able"?
Answer and Explanation: Some prefixes that can be added to the word able are: un- to make the word unable, which means not able to do something.
How does the suffix "able" change a word?
Similarly, how does the suffix able change a word? -Able is a cool suffix that allows you to describe things in new and interesting ways. Adding -able to a word makes it into an adjective that indicates something or someone is capable of or worthy of something. For instance, if a doughnut is dunkable, that means it can be dipped into a cup of milk or coffee.
What does the suffix "teachable" mean?
a suffix meaning “capable of, susceptible of, fit for, tending to, given to,” associated in meaning with the word able, occurring in loanwords from Latin (laudable); used in English as a highly productive suffix to form adjectives by addition to stems of any origin (teachable; photographable).
redoubtable
redoubtable If you describe someone as redoubt able, you have great respect for their power and strength; you may be afraid of them as well.
immutable
immutable Something that is immut able is always the same and cannot be changed.
amenable
amenable If you are amen able to doing something, you willingly accept it without arguing.
intractable
intractable Intract able problems, situations, or people are very difficult or impossible to deal with.
inimitable
inimitable Someone, such as a performer or athlete, is inimit able when they are so good or unique in their talent that it is unlikely anyone else can be their equal.
delectable
delectable If you describe something, especially food and drink, as delect able, you mean that it is very pleasant, tasty, or attractive.
malleable
malleable Someone who is malle able is easily influenced or controlled by other people.
Where does the word "able" come from?
From Middle French -able, from Old French -able, from Latin -ābilis .
What is the difference between "ible" and "able"?
The choice between the two is somewhat idiosyncratic, but in general, -ible is used in forms derived from Latin verbs of the second, third, and fourth conjugations, and in a few words whose roots end in a soft c or g, while -able is used in all other such words , particularly those formed from Latin verbs of the first conjugation and those that come from French or from Anglo-Saxon (Old English). Fowler's English Usage recommends using -ible for simplicity's sake in any word whose root ends in a soft c or g to avoid -eable (e.g., *changible rather than changeable ), but this recommendation has generally not been followed.
Is "able" a verb?
Originally used only on French and Latin words, like separable. Over time -able was added to stems of English verbs ending in - ate, such as educable. Finally, due to probable confusion with the word able, it was used to form adjectives from all sorts of verbs, nouns, and even verb phrases, such as kickable, get-at-able, and hittable.
Is "rotable" a suffix?
Traditionally, verbs ending in -ate drop this suffix before adding -able; hence, communicable (“able to be communicated ”), eradicable (“possible to eradicate ”), implacable (“unable to be placated ”), inimitable (“unable to imitate ”), and so on, but relatable, because relate is re- + -late, not rel- + -ate. Logically one should therefore say rotable to mean "able to be rotated", but rotatable has become accepted.
What does "able" mean in legal terms?
2 : having freedom from restriction or obligation or from conditions preventing an action able to vote.
What does "able" mean in the military?
able and capable mean having the power to do or accomplish. able may be used for someone who has exceptional skill and has done well in the past. She is an able surgeon with years of experience. capable is usually used to describe someone who has the characteristics suitable for a particular kind of work. The recruits soon proved to be capable soldiers.
What does "I'll come when I'm able" mean?
2 : having the freedom or opportunity to do something I 'll come when I'm able.
What does "bilis" mean in English?
Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French and Middle French, going back to Latin -ābilis, -ibilis, from -ā-, -i- (thematic vowels of various conjugations of verbs) + -bilis "capable (of acting) or worthy of (being acted upon), " going back to pre-Latin *-dhl-is, adjective suffix formed from the instrumental noun suffix *-dhl-om (whence Latin -bulum)