capable

capable — adjective

1. having the skill, confidence, and organisation to get things done well — for exa

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

having the skill, confidence, and organisation to get things done well — for example, a capable manager who keeps projects on schedule, or a capable driver who handles heavy traffic without stress.

Example

The hospital needs a capable surgeon who can handle emergency operations under pressure.

capable + noun: describes a skilled professional

Ravi proved himself a very capable leader during the team's restructuring.

proved + capable + noun: demonstrating competence

Common collocations
  • highly capable
  • extremely capable
  • capable manager
  • capable leader
  • capable driver
  • capable person
Synonyms
  • competent

    focuses on having the necessary minimum skills; slightly more formal than 'capable'

  • skilful

    emphasises technical expertise and practised ability rather than general effectiveness

  • efficient

    stresses doing things with minimal wasted time or effort, not just well

  • able

    more general; often used as a weaker alternative in everyday speech

Antonyms
  • incompetent

    strong opposite; lacking the necessary skills entirely

  • incapable

    direct antonym formed with the negative prefix

Grammar Patterns

capable + noun

be + capable

Usage Note

Predicative use often pairs with adverbs like 'highly', 'extremely', or 'very' to increase intensity. The attributive use (before a noun) is common in professional contexts.

Common Mistakes

She is a very capable to lead the team.
She is a very capable leader.
'capable' is an adjective, not a verb; do not follow it with a to-infinitive directly.
He is capable of a good doctor.
He is a capable doctor.
Use the attributive form with a noun, not 'capable of' + noun phrase.

2. having the necessary ability, power, or quality to do a specific thing — for ins

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

having the necessary ability, power, or quality to do a specific thing — for instance, a phone capable of running the latest apps, or a student capable of solving complex math problems.

Example

The old truck is still capable of carrying loads up to two tonnes.

capable of + gerund: carrying loads

Nadia is capable of memorising a long speech in just one evening.

Common collocations
  • capable of doing
  • capable of handling
  • capable of carrying
  • capable of achieving
  • capable of winning
  • more than capable of
Synonyms
  • able to

    more neutral and common; 'capable of' implies a stronger or more lasting ability

  • fit for

    suggests suitability rather than raw ability; used more for objects and conditions

  • qualified to

    implies formal training or certification; narrower than 'capable of'

Antonyms
  • incapable of

    direct negative counterpart with the same grammatical pattern

  • unable to

    weaker and more temporary opposite

Grammar Patterns

be + capable + of + noun/gerund

Usage Note

This sense is ALWAYS followed by 'of' before the noun or gerund. It cannot be used with a bare to-infinitive (*capable to do). 'Capable of' can describe both people and things, including machines, devices, or systems.

Common Mistakes

He is capable to solve the problem.
He is capable of solving the problem.
'capable' must be followed by 'of' + gerund, never by a to-infinitive.
Are you capable for this job?
Are you capable of doing this job?
Use 'of', not 'for', to introduce the action or task.
Idioms

capable of anything

idiom

able or willing to do anything, often used to describe someone with great potential or someone who might act unexpectedly

With her training and determination, Leila felt she was capable of anything she set her mind to.

The detective warned that the suspect was dangerous and capable of anything.

capable — suffix

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

These four words all describe someone who can do something well, but they differ in scope and emphasis. 'Able' is the most general word — it simply means having the power or means to do something ('The child is able to tie her own shoes'). 'Capable' (adjective sense 1) goes beyond bare ability to suggest effectiveness and reliability over time ('a capable project manager'). 'Competent' implies having the necessary minimum skills to perform adequately, often in a professional or formal context ('a competent accountant'). 'Proficient' is more specific, focusing on practised skill and expertise through training ('proficient in French'). 'Skilful' emphasises technical finesse and manual or creative ability ('a skilful carpenter'). For everyday use, 'capable' is the strongest compliment for general effectiveness; use 'proficient' when you want to highlight advanced training in a particular area, and 'competent' when meeting a required standard.

able ↗competent ↗proficient ↗skilful ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'capable' entered English in the mid-1500s from French 'capable', which came from Latin 'capax' (able to hold, spacious), based on 'capere' (to take, hold, seize). The core idea of 'holding' or 'containing' shifted metaphorically to mean 'having room or capacity for' a skill or quality, giving us the modern sense of having the ability to do something.