Latin · suffix
-abilis
able to be; fit for
Forms
- -abilis
- -able — English ending developed through French.
Origin
Latin verb-stem vowel -a- plus -bilis, a suffix expressing capacity or suitability.
Note
Once borrowed, English attached this ending freely to its own words.
Words sharing this root
abominableExtremely unpleasant or deserving disgust.acceptableGood enough to be accepted.admirableDeserving respect or praise.adorableDelightfully cute or lovable.affableFriendly and easy to talk to.amiableFriendly, pleasant, and easy to like.amicableFriendly and free from serious disagreement.appreciableLarge enough to be noticed or matter.arableSuitable for growing crops.capableHaving the ability or potential to do or experience something.commendableDeserving praise or approval.communicableAble to pass from one person to another.comparableSimilar enough in relevant qualities to be fairly compared.considerableLarge enough in amount, degree, or importance to matter.culpabilityResponsibility for wrongdoing.culpableDeserving blame for doing something wrong.damnableDeserving severe disapproval.delectableExtremely pleasant, especially to taste.demonstrableAble to be shown or clearly proved.despicableDeserving strong dislike because of morally bad behavior.detestableDeserving intense dislike or disgust.dispensableAble to be done without.durabilityThe ability to last without wearing out or becoming damaged.durableAble to resist wear over a long period.estimableDeserving respect or admiration.excusableAcceptable enough to be forgiven or overlooked.execrableExtremely bad or deserving strong disgust.explicableAble to be explained or understood.favorableGiving support toward a desired result.formidablePowerful, capable, or challenging enough to inspire respect or fear.friableEasily broken into small pieces or powder.habitableSuitable or safe to live in.hospitableWelcoming and supportive toward those who enter.imaginablePossible to picture or conceive in the mind.immeasurableToo great to be measured.immutabilityThe quality of being unchangeable.immutableNot able to be changed.impeccableFree from faults or mistakes.impenetrableToo resistant to allow entry or passage.impermeableClosed to the passage of fluid through its substance.incomparableBeyond meaningful comparison with anything else.inconsolableSo sad that nothing brings comfort.incurableUnable to be cured or remedied.indispensableAbsolutely necessary.indisputableImpossible to reasonably question or deny.indomitableToo determined, brave, or strong to be defeated.indubitableImpossible to doubt or question.ineluctableImpossible to avoid or resist.inestimableToo great or valuable to be measured.inevitableCertain to happen and impossible to avoid.inexcusableToo wrong or careless to be justified or forgiven.inexorableImpossible to stop or persuade to change.inexplicableImpossible or very difficult to explain.inflammableReadily catching fire when exposed to ignition.inimitableSo distinctive or excellent that it cannot be copied.innumerableToo many to be counted.insatiableAlways wanting more and impossible to satisfy.inscrutableImpossible or very difficult to understand or interpret.inseparableSo closely connected that they cannot be separated or considered apart.insuperableImpossible to overcome or solve.insupportableToo burdensome to be supported.interminableSeeming to last forever, especially because boring or tedious.intolerableToo unpleasant or painful to endure.intractableDifficult to manage or resolve.inviolableNot to be violated or infringed.invulnerableImpossible or extremely difficult to harm or defeat.irrefutableImpossible to disprove or convincingly argue against.irreparableImpossible to repair or put right.irrevocableImpossible to reverse or take back.irritableReadily reacting unpleasantly to stimulation.lamentableUnfortunate enough to cause sorrow or regret.laudableDeserving praise or admiration.malleableReadily reshaped by pressure without breaking.measurableSufficiently definite to be assessed in amount.memorabiliaObjects kept for their connection to memorable people or events.memorableWorth remembering or easy to remember.mutableAble to change or be changed.navigableAble to be traveled through, especially by boat.notableImportant or impressive enough to deserve attention.observableAble to be seen, noticed, or measured.palpableEasy to notice or feel.permeableAllowing things to pass through.portableAble to be moved readily between places.potableSuitable for drinking, or a liquid that is suitable for drinking.reasonableFair and sensible rather than excessive or extreme.revocableCapable of being officially canceled or withdrawn.separableAble to be divided or treated as independent parts.sociabilityThe tendency or ability to enjoy interacting with others.sociableFond of friendly company.tolerableAcceptable despite some shortcomings or discomfort.tractableReadily manageable through directed effort.variableAble to take different forms or values.vegetableA plant or plant part, especially one eaten as food.venerableRespected because of age, dignity, or long service.vulnerableEasily harmed, hurt, or disadvantaged.