Standard Lemma guide

operable

adj · 6 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • Received-Pronunciation: /ˈɒ.pə.ɹə.bəl/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • CMU ARPABET: AA1 P ER0 AH0 B AH0 L Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

adj

Meaning 1

Able to be operated or used.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adj

Meaning 2

Able to be put into operation; practicable.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

adj

Meaning 3

Able to be treated by surgery.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

adjective

Meaning 4

capable of being treated by surgical operation

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • an operable cancer

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: inoperable

5

adjective satellite

Meaning 5

usable for a specific purpose

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • an operable plan
  • a practicable solution

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: practicable

Antonyms: none provided

6

adjective satellite

Meaning 6

fit or ready for use or service

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • the toaster was still functional even after being dropped
  • the lawnmower is a bit rusty but still usable
  • an operational aircraft
  • the dishwasher is now in working order

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: functional, usable, useable, operational

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin operābilis.

Across languages

Translations

9 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Azerbaijani: işlək — able to be operated or used
  • Azerbaijani: saz — able to be operated or used
  • Latin: operābilis — able to be operated or used
  • Romanian: operabil — able to be operated or used
  • Greek: χειρουργήσιμος (cheirourgísimos) — able to be treated by surgery
  • Greek: εγχειρήσιμος (encheirísimos) — able to be treated by surgery
  • Hungarian: operálható — able to be treated by surgery
  • Manx: yn-obraidagh — able to be treated by surgery
  • Romanian: operabil — able to be treated by surgery