Letters and spelling

Words with the -able suffix

This list features common adjectives ending in -able, a suffix that turns verbs or nouns into words meaning capable of or worthy of, as in enjoyable or reliable. It's handy for building descriptive vocabulary, studying suffixes for a test, or finding the right word while writing. Notice how most -able words keep the base word recognizable, such as comfort inside comfortable.

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Words with the -able suffix

Word	Meaning	In a sentence
comfortableadjective	Providing physical ease and relaxation, free from pain, stress, or constraint.	The old armchair by the window was the most comfortable seat in the house.
reasonableadjective	Fair, sensible, and based on good judgment rather than extreme or unfair demands.	The landlord agreed to a reasonable rent increase that matched the local market rate.
valuableadjective	Worth a great deal of money, or extremely useful or important.	The painting turned out to be far more valuable than the family had realized.
capableadjective	Having the ability, skill, or qualities necessary to do something effectively.	She is a capable manager who handles even the most difficult clients with ease.
durableadjective	Able to withstand wear, damage, or pressure over a long time.	These hiking boots are durable enough to survive years of rough mountain trails.
enjoyableadjective	Giving pleasure or satisfaction; pleasant to experience.	The weekend hiking trip turned out to be far more enjoyable than we expected.
favorableadjective	Showing approval, or likely to produce a good result.	The reviews of the new restaurant were overwhelmingly favorable.
honorableadjective	Deserving respect because of good moral character, honesty, or fairness.	He made the honorable decision to admit his mistake publicly.
likableadjective	Pleasant and easy to like because of a friendly or agreeable personality.	Everyone at the party found the new neighbor warm and likable.
memorableadjective	Worth remembering or easy to remember because it is striking or unusual.	Their wedding day became a truly memorable occasion for the whole family.
notableadjective	Worthy of attention or notice because of being remarkable, significant, or distinguished.	The museum's notable collection includes several paintings by famous impressionists.
portableadjective	Designed to be easily carried or moved from one place to another.	She bought a small, portable speaker so she could take music to the beach.
predictableadjective	Able to be known or expected in advance, based on patterns or past behavior.	The ending of the movie was so predictable that everyone guessed it early on.
reliableadjective	Consistently good in quality or performance, and able to be trusted.	Her old car has always been reliable, even after ten years of daily use.
remarkableadjective	Worthy of attention or notice because it is unusual, extraordinary, or impressive.	The team made a remarkable comeback after being down by twenty points at halftime.
suitableadjective	Right or appropriate for a particular purpose, occasion, or person.	That documentary is suitable for children and adults alike.
adorableadjective	Extremely charming, lovable, and delightful, especially due to a small or cute appearance.	The puppy looked adorable curled up fast asleep in its tiny basket.
adjustableadjective	Able to be changed or set differently to suit different needs or preferences.	The desk has an adjustable height so it can be used sitting or standing.
affordableadjective	Priced low enough to be within most people's financial means.	The city needs more affordable housing for young families and workers.
agreeableadjective	Pleasant and easy to get along with, or willing to accept a suggestion.	Their new neighbor is friendly and agreeable, always ready to help.
availableadjective	Able to be used, obtained, or reached; free to do something.	Tickets for the concert are still available on the venue's website.
believableadjective	Able to be believed; seeming true, realistic, or convincing enough to accept.	The actor gave a believable performance as a grieving widow in the film.
breakableadjective	Easily broken or damaged, especially because of a fragile material.	The movers marked the box 'fragile' because it contained breakable glassware.
changeableadjective	Likely to change often or without warning; not staying the same.	The weather here is famously changeable, sunny one hour and rainy the next.
dependableadjective	Able to be trusted to do what is expected, consistently and without fail.	My neighbor is dependable; she always waters our plants exactly as promised while we travel.
desirableadjective	Worth having, wanting, or achieving because of its usefulness or appeal.	A quiet neighborhood is a highly desirable feature for many home buyers.
fashionableadjective	In keeping with the current popular style, especially in clothing or appearance.	The boutique sells fashionable clothes at surprisingly reasonable prices.
forgettableadjective	Not distinctive or memorable enough to be remembered afterward.	The movie had a forgettable plot despite its impressive special effects.
lovableadjective	Having qualities that make someone or something easy to love or feel affection for.	The lovable old dog greeted every visitor with a wagging tail.
manageableadjective	Able to be controlled, handled, or dealt with without excessive difficulty.	With a clear schedule, her heavy workload became far more manageable.

What does the suffix -able mean?

The suffix -able attaches to a verb or noun to form an adjective meaning capable of being, fit for, or worthy of. Reliable means capable of being relied on, and enjoyable means worthy of being enjoyed. Most -able words in English come from verbs, and the spelling usually stays close to the base word, which makes the pattern easier to recognize once you know what to look for.

Frequently asked questions

What does the suffix -able mean?

It means capable of, fit for, or worthy of, turning a verb or noun into an adjective.

What is the difference between -able and -ible?

Both mean roughly the same thing, but -able usually follows complete English words while -ible often follows word roots that aren't standalone words.