How to Pronounce Able

To pronounce "able", say ABL-e — 2 syllables, IPA /ˈeɪ.bl̩/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

able

Tap to hear · American accent

Accent

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Speed

Syllable by syllable — tap each one

Practice: Record & Compare

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2

Syllables

4

Letters

/ˈeɪ.bl̩/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “able”

"able" has 2 syllables: abl-e. It rhymes with enable and unstable, if that helps it stick.

Sounds exactly like: abel, abell — easy to mix up when writing.

What does able mean?

adjective

  1. Easy to use.
  2. Suitable; competent.

Hear “able” in real sentences

Real example sentences from Tatoeba (CC-BY) — tap to hear each one, or see it used on YouGlish.

Words that rhyme with able

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

enableunstablefablelabelstabledisabletablehabilecabletimetableflabileroundtable

Related words

capablecompetentfithealthyable-bodiedeffectivefeasibilityfeasible

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "able"?▾

"Able" has 2 syllables: abl · e.

What is the IPA transcription of "able"?▾

The IPA transcription of "able" is /ˈeɪ.bl̩/.

What does "able" mean?▾

Able: Easy to use.

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