How to pronounce able
Say it like AY-bul. Able has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AY).
- AY
- bul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Able pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- AYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- bulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of able
American and British speakers say able in essentially the same way: /ˈeɪbəl/ in the US and /ˈeɪbəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: AY-bul.
What does able mean?
- Having the necessary powers or the needed resources to accomplish a task.“She is able to lift the box without assistance.”
- Free from constraints preventing completion of task; permitted to; not prevented from.“In a democratic world you'd be able to say what you thought wherever you were.”
- Gifted with skill, intelligence, knowledge, or competence.“The chairman was also an able sailor.”
- present participle and gerund of can How to pronounce can“I might be able to go.”
- The letter "A" in Navy Phonetic Alphabet.
Where does able come from?
From Middle English able, from Old Northern French able, variant of Old French abile, habile, from Latin habilis (“easily managed, held, or handled; apt; skillful”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
- capable
- able-bodied
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with able
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of able.
Words that sound like able
Questions about saying able
How do you pronounce able?
Say AY-bul. The American pronunciation is /ˈeɪbəl/. In British English it is /ˈeɪbəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in able?
Able has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AY). Broken into parts: AY · bul.
Do Americans and Brits say able the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈeɪbəl/ and the British form is /ˈeɪbəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.
What words sound the same as able?
Able sounds the same as Abel in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.