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Definition of -able suffix from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

-able

suffix
 
/əbl/
 
/əbl/
in adjectives
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  1. that can or must be
    • calculable
    • taxable
  2. having the quality of
    • fashionable
    • comfortable
    • changeable
  3. Word Originfrom 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; later used to form adjectives from verbs of all types (influenced by the unrelated word able), e.g. bearable, saleable.
compare -ible
unclear
adjective
 
 
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