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able

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  • Conjugation : more  abler ; most  ablest
  • Derivative : n  able-bodiedness
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Collins English-Chinese Dictionary

able ['eɪbl]
  1. 1. adjective to be able to do sth (have skill, ability) 能够做某事
    The giant frog is able to jump three metres.
    大青蛙能够跳3米远。
  2. 2. adjective (have opportunity) 可以做某事
    You'll be able to read in peace here.
    可以在这里安静地看书。
  3. 3. adjective [+pupil, player] (clever) 有才能的
  4. 4. adjective 用法参见 can

Comprehensive English-Chinese Dictionary

able [ 'ebl] [ 'eɪbl]
  1. 1. adjective 有能力的能干的,能够…的,得以…的(to do something)
    I was able to read at the age of five.
    我五岁时就能阅读了。
    She would never be able to leave her kids.
    没有办法离开她的孩子们。
    He's unable to come to the meeting today due to health problems.
    因为身体不适,他不能出席今天会议了。
  2. 2. adjective 才干的;天资高的显示出才智(或才华)的;才华出众
    an able teacher
    一位有才华教员
    That singer wasn't very technically able and her voice was a mess.
    那个歌手不够专业声音也是一团糟
  3. 3. adjective [legal] 法定资格
  4. 4. adjective 合格的

Collins English-English Dictionary

able ['eɪbəl]
  1. 1. adj [postpositive] having the necessary power, resources, skill, time, opportunity, etc, to do something
    able to swim
  2. 2. adj capable; competent; talented
    an able teacher
  3. 3. adj [law] qualified, competent, or authorized to do some specific act
  4. 4. adj [Etymology] C14: ultimately from Latin habilis easy to hold, manageable, apt, from habere to have, hold + -ilis -ile

Examples

an able teacher
一位有才华的教员 able
We won't be able to travel any distance before nightfall.
黄昏前我们不可能多走路了 any
able-bodied
强壮的,体格健全的 bodied
to be able to see far
能看得很远 see
Together they were able to lift the sofa.
他们一起动手才把那张沙发抬了起来。 together
able to run with the best
也能管理得一样好 with
He was able to make it because he swam with the tide.
正因为顺应潮流,他才获得了成功。
I'd like to round up the meeting by thanking all those who were able to attend at such short notice.
我想用我的感谢来结束这次会议,感谢所有仓促之间前来参加会议的人。
She couldn't go to school for a few weeks because of an illness, but she'll be able to catch up with her lessons quickly.
她因病有几周不能上学,但是她很快就能补上落下的课。
Only this military aircraft is able to break the sound barrier.
只有这架军用飞机能够突破声障。 aircraft

nciku Note

“能够”怎么说?

请勿混淆 able 和 capable。这两个词都可以表示某人能做某事。如果说某人 able to do something,表示他有能力做某事,因为他具做此事所需的知识或技能,或条件允许可以做此事。He wondered if he would be able to climb over the rail…They were able to use their profits for new investments. 注意,如果时态是过去时,则表示某人事实上已经做了某事。We were able to reduce costs. 如果某人 capable of doing something 表示他具备做某事的知识和技能,或者他有可能去做某事。The workers are perfectly capable of running the organization themselves… She was quite capable of ruining the project if it didn’t please her. 可以说某人 capable of 某种感情或行为。He’s capable of loyalty…I don’t believe he’s capable of murder. 也可以用 capable of 表示汽车或机器的性能。The car was capable of 110 miles per hour. 如果将某人描述为 able 或者 capable,说明他能力很强。His father was an able golfer…She’s certainly a capable gardener.

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