If you are learning English, you have likely noticed that many words end with the letters -able. This ending is common, but it is not always used the same way. Some -able words are adjectives that describe what is possible, some are nouns that name a quality or thing, and a few are verbs that describe an action. This guide gives you a direct, practical breakdown of adjectives, nouns, and verbs that start with -able, with clear examples, common mistakes, and real usage notes so you can use them correctly in writing, email, and conversation.
Quick Answer: What Are Words That Start With -able?
Words that start with -able are actually words that end with the suffix -able. The suffix -able is added to verbs or nouns to form adjectives meaning “capable of being” or “worthy of.” For example, readable means “able to be read.” Some words like capable or table also end in -able but are not formed by adding a suffix. This article focuses on the most common and useful -able words across three parts of speech: adjectives, nouns, and verbs. You will find a comparison table, natural examples, common mistakes, and a short practice section to test your understanding.
Understanding the -able Suffix
The suffix -able is one of the most productive in English. It is added to verbs to create adjectives that mean “can be done.” For example, break becomes breakable (can be broken). It can also be added to nouns to mean “having the quality of,” like comfortable from comfort. Some words that end in -able are base words themselves, such as table or cable. In this guide, we cover the most practical words for learners.
Comparison Table: Adjectives, Nouns, and Verbs That End With -able
| Part of Speech | Example Word | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adjective | readable | able to be read | The font is small but still readable. |
| Adjective | comfortable | providing comfort | This chair is very comfortable. |
| Noun | capability | the ability to do something | She has the capability to lead the team. |
| Noun | table | a piece of furniture | Please put the book on the table. |
| Verb | enable | to make possible | The new software will enable faster work. |
| Verb | disable | to make unable to work | You can disable the alarm in settings. |
Adjectives Ending With -able
Most -able words are adjectives. They describe a noun by saying what is possible or what quality it has. These are very common in both formal and informal English.
Common -able Adjectives
- readable – easy or possible to read. Example: The instructions are clear and readable.
- comfortable – giving physical ease. Example: These shoes are comfortable for walking.
- reliable – able to be trusted. Example: He is a reliable friend.
- affordable – cheap enough to buy. Example: The hotel is affordable for students.
- sustainable – able to continue over time. Example: We need sustainable energy sources.
- noticeable – easy to see or notice. Example: There was a noticeable change in the weather.
- predictable – able to be predicted. Example: The ending of the movie was predictable.
- valuable – worth a lot of money or importance. Example: This old coin is valuable.
- reasonable – fair and sensible. Example: The price is reasonable.
- portable – easy to carry. Example: This laptop is very portable.
Formal vs. Informal Tone
Many -able adjectives are neutral and work in both formal and informal contexts. For example, comfortable is fine in a casual conversation (“I feel comfortable here”) and in a business email (“Please ensure the meeting room is comfortable”). However, some are more formal, like sustainable or predictable, which are common in academic or professional writing. In everyday speech, you might say “It’s easy to see” instead of “It’s noticeable.”
Email and Conversation Context
In email, -able adjectives are useful for describing products, services, or conditions. For example: “The report is readable and well-organized.” In conversation, they are often used to express opinions: “This chair is so comfortable!” or “That price is not reasonable.”
Common Mistake: Confusing -able and -ible
Many learners confuse -able with -ible. The rule is that -able is more common and is added to complete verbs (like read + able = readable). -ible is less common and usually comes from Latin roots (like visible from videre). There is no simple rule, so you must memorize common words. For example, possible uses -ible, not -able. A good dictionary or word list can help.
Nouns Ending With -able
Nouns that end with -able are less common than adjectives, but they are important. Some are base nouns (like table), and others are formed from adjectives (like capability from capable).
Common -able Nouns
- table – a piece of furniture with a flat top. Example: We ate dinner at the table.
- cable – a thick wire for electricity or data. Example: The internet cable is broken.
- capability – the ability to do something. Example: The machine has a high capability.
- reliability – the quality of being trustworthy. Example: The car is known for its reliability.
- affordability – the quality of being cheap enough. Example: The affordability of the house is a big plus.
- sustainability – the ability to continue over time. Example: The company focuses on sustainability.
- noticeability – the quality of being easy to notice. Example: The noticeability of the sign is important.
- predictability – the quality of being predictable. Example: The predictability of the weather helps planning.
- value – worth (note: value does not end in -able, but valuable is an adjective).
Formal vs. Informal Tone
Nouns like capability and sustainability are formal and are used in business, academic, or technical writing. In casual conversation, you might say “ability” instead of “capability.” For example, “She has the ability to do it” is more common than “She has the capability.”
Common Mistake: Using -able Nouns Incorrectly
Some learners try to add -able to a verb to make a noun, but that is usually wrong. For example, readable is an adjective, not a noun. The noun form is readability. So do not say “The readable of the text is good.” Instead, say “The readability of the text is good.”
Verbs Ending With -able
Verbs that end with -able are rare. Most verbs that look like they end in -able actually end in -ble or are formed with a prefix. The most common ones are enable and disable.
Common -able Verbs
- enable – to make something possible or to give ability. Example: The new system will enable faster communication.
- disable – to make something unable to work. Example: You can disable the feature in the settings.
- table – to postpone discussion (formal). Example: The committee decided to table the proposal.
- cable – to send a message by cable (old-fashioned). Example: They cabled the news to the office.
Formal vs. Informal Tone
Enable and disable are common in both formal and informal contexts, especially in technology. For example, “Enable the Wi-Fi” is fine in conversation and in instructions. Table as a verb is formal and used in meetings or politics. In everyday speech, you would say “postpone” instead.
Common Mistake: Using Enable Incorrectly
Some learners use enable when they mean allow or let. For example, “The teacher enabled us to leave early” is correct, but it sounds formal. In conversation, “The teacher let us leave early” is more natural. Also, do not confuse enable with able. Able is an adjective, not a verb. Say “I am able to help” not “I enable to help.”
Natural Examples
Here are examples of -able words in real contexts:
- Email: “Please find the attached report. It is readable and includes all the data.”
- Conversation: “This sofa is so comfortable. I could sit here all day.”
- Business: “The company is focused on sustainability and affordability.”
- Technology: “You need to enable the Bluetooth connection first.”
- Academic: “The predictability of the results was surprising.”
Better Alternatives and When to Use Them
Sometimes, using a simpler word is better than an -able word, especially in casual conversation. Here are some alternatives:
- Instead of “readable” say “easy to read” in conversation. Example: “The font is easy to read.”
- Instead of “noticeable” say “easy to see” or “obvious.” Example: “The change was obvious.”
- Instead of “affordable” say “cheap” or “not expensive” in casual talk. Example: “The hotel is not expensive.”
- Instead of “enable” say “let” or “allow” in everyday speech. Example: “The app lets you share photos.”
Use -able words when you want to be precise or formal, such as in writing, reports, or professional emails. In casual conversation, simpler words often sound more natural.
Common Mistakes
- Using -able instead of -ible: For example, saying “readible” instead of “readable.” Remember that possible, visible, and invisible use -ible.
- Making adjectives into nouns incorrectly: Do not say “The readable of the text.” Use “readability” instead.
- Using enable as an adjective: Enable is a verb. The adjective is enabled (e.g., “The feature is enabled”).
- Forgetting the spelling change: When adding -able to verbs ending in -e, drop the -e. For example, value becomes valuable (not valueable).
Mini Practice Section
Test your understanding with these four questions. Answers are below.
Question 1
Which word is the correct adjective form of the verb “to rely”?
A) relyable
B) reliable
C) relyible
Question 2
Fill in the blank: “The new software will ______ faster data processing.”
A) able
B) enable
C) disabled
Question 3
Which sentence is correct?
A) The readability of the article is high.
B) The readable of the article is high.
C) The readableness of the article is high.
Question 4
What is the noun form of “sustainable”?
A) sustain
B) sustainability
C) sustainable
Answers
- B) reliable – The correct spelling is reliable.
- B) enable – Enable is the verb meaning “to make possible.”
- A) The readability of the article is high. – Readability is the correct noun.
- B) sustainability – The noun form of sustainable is sustainability.
FAQ
1. What is the difference between -able and -ible?
The suffix -able is more common and is usually added to complete English verbs (like break → breakable). The suffix -ible is less common and often comes from Latin roots (like visible from videre). There is no simple rule, so it is best to memorize common words or use a dictionary.
2. Can I add -able to any verb?
No. While -able is productive, it is not used with every verb. For example, we say readable but not runable. Some verbs do not form adjectives with -able. When in doubt, check a dictionary or a word list.
3. Are there any verbs that end with -able?
Yes, but they are rare. The most common are enable and disable. Other examples include table (to postpone) and cable (to send a message), but these are less common in everyday English.
4. How do I know if a word is an adjective or a noun?
Look at how the word is used in a sentence. Adjectives describe nouns (e.g., “a comfortable chair”), while nouns name things (e.g., “the comfort of the chair”). Many -able words are adjectives, but some like table and cable are nouns. The noun form of an adjective often ends in -ability (e.g., readability from readable).
Final Tips for Learners
To master -able words, practice using them in context. Start with the most common adjectives like comfortable, reliable, and affordable. Pay attention to spelling, especially when adding -able to verbs ending in -e. For nouns, remember that -ability is the typical ending. For verbs, focus on enable and disable. With regular practice, you will use these words naturally in your writing and conversation.
For more word lists and practice, explore our Parts of Speech Lists and Beginner Word Lists. If you have questions, visit our FAQ page or contact us.
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