[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/able/)

[dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [A](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/a/) / able

# able

adjective (able; abler, ablest — rare; more able, most able)

«able» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. If you are able to do something, you can do it; you have the skill, strength, time or chance to do it. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/able/#m1)
2. An able person is clever or good at things, like an able pupil. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/able/#m2)

### In the lessons

«Be able to» is used where «can» does not work: «I will be able to swim», «I have been able to read since I was five». In everyday and safety talk: «Are you able to reach the shelf?». It helps the reader know what someone can or cannot do. Phrases: «be able to», «not able to», «able-bodied», «more able». Many words end in «-able», meaning «can be done»: washable, readable, breakable.

### Examples

- I am able to swim a whole length now. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/able/#x1)
- Will you be able to come to my party? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/able/#x2)
- She wasn't able to open the jar. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/able/#x3)
- Birds are able to fly, but penguins are not. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/able/#x4)
- Owls are able to see in the dark better than us. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/able/#x5)
- He was able to finish the puzzle in ten minutes. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/able/#x6)
- The more able readers chose longer books. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/able/#x7)
- After the injury he was able to walk again. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/able/#x8)
- "Should I be able to see these flowers?" [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/able/#x9)

### Note

«Able to» is followed by the base form of a verb: «able to run», not «able to running». Opposite: «unable» («unable to come»). Noun: «ability»; «disabled» means having a disability. «Can» is shorter: «I can swim» = «I am able to swim».

## In Jewish tradition

In the Torah "able men" are capable, trustworthy people chosen for jobs such as ruling or leading.

**Interpretation.** The able men chosen to help Moses judge the people are a model of good leaders, who must be capable and honest.

### Examples

- And if thou knowest any able men among them, then make them rulers over my cattle.' (Torah GEN.47.6, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/A/able/#x1)
- I am not able to bear all this people myself alone, because it is too heavy for me. (Torah NUM.11.14, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/A/able/#x2)
- And I spoke unto you at that time, saying: 'I am not able to bear you myself alone; (Torah DEU.1.9, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/A/able/#x3)
- Wrath is cruel, and anger is overwhelming; but who is able to stand before jealousy? (Writings PRO.27.4, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/A/able/#x4)
- None is so fierce that dare stir him up; who then is able to stand before Me? (Writings JOB.41.2, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/A/able/#x5)
- There are the workers of iniquity fallen; they are thrust down, and are not able to rise. (Writings PSA.36.13, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/A/able/#x6)

### Note

«Able to» is followed by the base form of a verb: «able to run», not «able to running». Opposite: «unable» («unable to come»). Noun: «ability»; «disabled» means having a disability. «Can» is shorter: «I can swim» = «I am able to swim».

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «able» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/able/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«able» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/able.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «able» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/A/able/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«able» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/able.html) on Mova free.