suitable

suitable — adjective

1. Something that is suitable has the qualities that make it a good match for a par

1.adjectiveB1
Definition

Something that is suitable has the qualities that make it a good match for a particular person, situation, or use.

Example

This small backpack is suitable for a day trip to the beach.

suitable for + purpose

The committee is still looking for a suitable candidate to fill the position.

suitable + noun (attributive)

Common collocations
  • suitable candidate
  • suitable accommodation
  • suitable time
  • suitable place
  • suitable person
  • suitable clothing
  • suitable replacement
Synonyms
  • appropriate

    Slightly more formal than suitable; often used for behaviour or actions that are socially correct.

  • fitting

    Emphasises that something feels natural and exactly right for the occasion, often in emotional or ceremonial contexts.

  • right

    Less formal and more general than suitable; can replace suitable in many everyday situations.

  • proper

    Strongly connected to social rules and expectations; narrower than suitable.

Antonyms
  • unsuitable

    The direct opposite — not right or acceptable for a particular purpose or person.

  • inappropriate

    Emphasises that something is not socially or situationally correct.

Grammar Patterns

suitable for [noun/pronoun]

suitable + [noun]

[noun] + suitable for [noun]

suitable to [infinitive]

Usage Note

Unlike good or nice, suitable emphasises a fit between the thing and its purpose or context. It is more common in written and professional settings than in casual conversation.

Common Mistakes

This coat is suitable to cold weather.
This coat is suitable for cold weather.
The adjective suitable is followed by for, not to, when introducing the person or thing it matches.
This hat is suitable with the dress.
This hat is suitable for the dress.
Use for (not with) after suitable to show what something matches or fits.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

Suitable, appropriate, fitting, and proper all describe something that matches a situation or need, but they differ in register and emphasis. Suitable is the most general and practical word, focusing on whether something works well for a given purpose — a suitable hotel, a suitable tool. Appropriate is more formal and often carries a social or moral dimension: certain jokes are not appropriate at a formal dinner. Fitting has an emotional or ceremonial tone — a fitting tribute or a fitting end to a story. Proper is the most rule-bound of the four, linked to correct procedures or social conventions: proper dress, proper manners. In everyday conversation, suitable and right are largely interchangeable, but appropriate and proper feel noticeably more formal.

suitable ↗appropriate ↗fitting ↗proper ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • suitable candidate
  • suitable accommodation
  • suitable time
  • suitable place
  • suitable person
  • suitable clothing
  • suitable replacement
  • suitable location

Adverbs

  • highly suitable
  • particularly suitable
  • most suitable
  • less suitable
  • perfectly suitable
  • eminently suitable

Phrases

  • find something suitable
  • consider someone suitable
  • deem something suitable
  • prove suitable

Prepositions

  • suitable for

Etymology

LatinAnglo-NormanEnglish

Suitable comes from the verb suit, which entered English from Anglo-Norman siwtre (to follow, to match). The underlying root is Latin sequī (to follow). The sense of 'matching' or 'fitting' developed through the idea of one thing following another in a way that is appropriate. The -able suffix, from Latin -abilis, adds the meaning 'capable of being' or 'worthy of', giving suitable the sense of 'able to match or fit'.