-able
suffixWestern /əbəl/ · IN /ˈebl̩/
Etymology Inherited from Middle English -able, borrowed from Old French -able, from Latin -ābilis, from -a- or -i- + -bilis (“capable or worthy of being acted upon”), from Proto-Indo-European i-stem form *-dʰli- of *-dʰlom (“instrumental suffix”). Not closely related etymologically, though currently related semantically, to able. Displaced native Old English -endlīc.
1
Morpheme Able to be done; fit to be done.
- move + -able → movable (“able to be moved”)
- amend + -able → amendable (“able to be amended”)
4 more examples
- break + -able → breakable (“liable to break”)
- blame + -able → blamable (“fit to be blamed”)
- sale + -able → salable (“fit to be sold”)
- influence + -able → influenceable (“able to be influenced”)
2
Morpheme Relevant to or suitable to, in accordance with.
- fashion + -able → fashionable (“relevant to fashion”)
- season + -able → seasonable (“suitable to season”)
3
Morpheme Giving, or inclined to.
- pleasure + -able → pleasurable (“giving pleasure”)
- peace + -able → peaceable (“inclined to peace”)
4
Colloquial, Morpheme Inviting or encouraging a specified behavior.
- Near-synonym: -er (etymology 1, suffix sense 2)
- punch + -able → punchable (“inviting being punched”)
1 more example
- kiss + -able → kissable (“evoking the desire to be kissed”)
5
Morpheme Subject to.
- report + -able → reportable (“subject to be reported”)
- tax + -able → taxable (“subject to be taxed”)
6
Morpheme Due to be.
- pay + -able → payable (“due to be paid”)