ORIGIN
From French -able or Latin -abilis; originally found in words only from these forms but later used to form adjectives directly from English verbs ending in -ate, e.g. educable from educate; subsequently used to form adjectives from verbs of all types (influenced by the unrelated word able), e.g. bearable, saleable
USAGE
- The suffix –able is not etymologically connected with the word able; the suffix is from French –able and Latin –ābilis; the word able is from Old French hable, from Latin habilis ‘handy’, from habere ‘to hold’.
- Some derived adjs are of Germanic origin (e.g. unspeakable, doable), or of Romance origin but not connected with French (e.g. praisable, prayable).
- It can often be attached to verbs ending in -ate (e.g. educable), or to bases that can be both verbs and nouns (e.g. saleable, marriageable, changeable, debatable, rateable).
- It is often confused with the adj suffix –ible. Opposite adjs are often un…able; also common are in…able adjs; remember these only two exceptions recorded in the OALD and CALD: unfeasible, unintelligible (not unfeasable or unintelligable).
- It can also be attached to prepositional verbs, e.g. (un)come-at-able, (un)get-at-able, laugh-at-able, unputdownable. Most of these terms are now dated, very uncommon, and informal.
abominable, absorbable, (un)acceptable, (un)accountable, (un)achievable, actionable, adaptable, addressable, adjustable, admirable, adorable, (in)advisable, affable, (un)affordable, (dis)agreeable, (in/un)alienable, allowable, (un)alterable, amenable, ami(c)able, amortisable, (un)answerable, (in)applicable, appreciable, (un)approachable, arable, (un)arguable, arrestable, ascertainable, ascribable, assessable, assimilable, (un)attainable, attributable, (un)available, (un)avoidable, bankable, (un)bearable, (un)believable, bendable, biddable, ((non-)bio)degradable, bloggable, bookable, (un)breakable, breathable, (in)calculable, (in)capable, certifiable, (inter/un)changeable, (re)chargeable, (un)charitable, classifiable, clickable, collectable, (un)comfortable, commendable, (non-)communicable, commutable, companionable, (in)comparable, compostable, computable, (in)conceivable, conformable, confusable, (in)considerable, consumable, contactable, (un)controllable, (un)countable, covetable, (dis)creditable, culpable, cultivable, (in)curable, damnable, datable, debatable, deductable, defendable, (in)definable, delectable, demonstrable, (un)deniable, dependable, deplorable, (in)describable, (un)desirable, despicable, detachable, (un)detectable, determinable, detestable, discoverable, (in)dispensable, disposable, (in)disputable, (in)distinguishable, dividable, doable, downloadable, (un)drinkable, durable, dutiable, (un)eatable, editable, electable, (un)employable, (un)endurable, (un)enforceable, enjoyable, equable, (in)equitable, (in)estimable, (un)exceptionable, exchangeable, excitable, (in)excusable, execrable, executable, expandable, expendable, (in)explicable, exploitable, exportable, extendable, extraditable, fanciable, (un)fashionable, (un)favo(u)rable, (non-/in)flammable, fordable, (un)foreseeable, (un)forgettable, (un)forgivable, formidable, friable, (non-)gradable, (unin/in)habitable, (in)heritable, (dis)hono(u)rable, (in)hospitable, huggable, (un)identifiable, (un)imaginable, (un)impeachable, impeccable, imperturbable, implacable, imponderable, impregnable, impressionable, imprisonable, incommensurable, inconsolable, incontestable, indecipherable, indefatigable, indictable, indomitable, indubitable, ineffable, ineluctable, ineradicable, inescapable, inevitable, inexorable, inextinguisable, inextricable, inflatable, inimitable, innumerable, insatiable, inscrutable, insufferable, insuperable, interminable, interpretable, inviolable, irreproachable, irrevocable, irritable, (un)justifiable, kissable, (un)knowable, knowledgeable, lamentable, laudable, laughable, liable, lik(e)able, listenable, liv(e)able, lockable, lov(e)able, unlovable, malleable, (un)manageable, maneuverable, manoeuvrable, marketable, marriageable, (im)measurable, (un)memorable, merchantable, microwav(e)able, miserable, (un)mistak(e)able, mov(e)able, immovable, (im)mutable, navigable, (non-)negotiable, notable, noticeable, notifiable, (un)objectionable, observable, (un)obtainable, (in(ter))operable, ovenable, (un)palatable, (im)palpable, (un)pardonable, (im)passable, (re)payable, peaceable, (im)penetrable, pensionable, (im)perishable, (gas-/im/semi)permeable, personable, photocopiable, pitiable, (un)playable, pleasurable, pliable, portable, potable, (im)practicable, (un)predictable, preferable, presentable, preventable, (un)printable, (im)probable, (un)profitable, programmable, (un)pronounceable, provable, punishable, quaffable, quantifiable, (un)questionable, quotable, rateable, reachable, (machine-/un)readable, realisable, (un)reasonable, receivable, (un)recognisable, (ir)reconcilable, (ir)recoverable, rectifiable, recyclable, (ir)redeemable, redoubtable, referable, refillable, (non-)refundable, (ir)refutable, regrettable, (un)reliable, (un)remarkable, (ir)remediable, removable, (non-)renewable, (ir)repairable, (un)repeatable, (ir)replaceable, replicable, (dis)reputable, resealable, respectable, (ir)retrievable, (non-)returnable, rewritable, (un)sal(e)able, salvageable, scalable, searchable, (un)seasonable, (in)separable, (un)serviceable, shockable, siz(e)able, skinnable, (un)sociable, (in)solvable, specifiable, (un)stable, (un)suitable, (in)supportable, (in)surmountable, survivable, (un)sustainable, tameable, taxable, teachable, (un)tenable, testable, (un)thinkable, (in)tolerable, traceable, (in/re)tractable, trad(e)able, transferable, transportable, treasonable, treatable, tweetable, unassailable, unbeatable, unbridgeable, unchallengeable, unconquerable, unconscionable, unconsolable, uncrushable, understandable, unfathomable, unflappable, ungovernable, uninsurable, unmentionable, unmissable, unputdownable, unquenchable, unshak(e)able, unspeakable, unstoppable, untenable, unthinkable, untouchable, (re/un)usable, unutterable, utilisable, (in)valuable, (in)variable, VATable, venerable, verifiable, veritable, ((un)en)viable, (in)vulnerable, washable, watchable, wearable, (un)workable
Only available upon request
Only available upon request
Only available upon request