1. (superl.) Fit; adapted; suitable.

2. (superl.) Having sufficient power, strength, force, skill, means, or resources of any kind to accomplish the object; possessed of qualifications rendering competent for some end; competent; qualified; capable; as, an able workman, soldier, seaman, a man able to work; a mind able to reason; a person able to be generous; able to endure pain; able to play on a piano.

3. (superl.) Specially: Having intellectual qualifications, or strong mental powers; showing ability or skill; talented; clever; powerful; as, the ablest man in the senate; an able speech.

4. (superl.) Legally qualified; possessed of legal competence; as, able to inherit or devise property.

5. (v.) To make able; to enable; to strengthen.

6. (v.) To vouch for.

7. (n.) An adjective suffix now usually in a passive sense; able to be; fit to be; expressing capacity or worthiness in a passive sense; as, movable, able to be moved; amendable, able to be amended; blamable, fit to be blamed; salable.

adapted adequate adjusted alert au fait brainy brilliant capable checked out clever competent effective effectual efficacious efficient enigmatic enterprising equal to expert fit fitted fitted for go-ahead good incalculable incognizable intelligent journeyman keen mysterious productive proficient proper puzzling qualified sealed sharp skilled skillful smart strange suited unapparent unapprehended unascertained unbeknown uncharted unclassified undisclosed undiscoverable undiscovered undivulged unexplained unexplored unexposed unfamiliar unfathomed unheard unheard-of unidentified uninvestigated unknowable unknown unperceived unplumbed unrevealed unsuspected untouched up to up to snuff up-and-coming virgin well-fitted well-qualified well-suited wicked worthy