English pronunciation · Words Starting with C
Capable Pronunciation
Capable is pronounced KAY-puh-buhl, IPA /ˈkeɪpəbəl/.
KAY-puh-buhl
US /ˈkeɪpəbəl/ · UK /ˈkeɪpəbəl/
Syllables: KAY · puh · buhl (3 syllables, stress on syllable 1)
adjective: Able to do something, or having the skill and sense to be trusted with it.
Audio for the American and British pronunciations plays on this page with JavaScript enabled.
Capable in a Sentence
- She is perfectly capable of running the department.
- The engine is capable of far more than we asked of it.
- He wanted a capable deputy, not a loyal one.
Common Mispronunciations of Capable
Not KA-puh-buhl
The a runs long, the ay of cape, even though only one p follows it. Capacity and capital take the short one, which is where the confusion starts.
Not kuh-PAY-buhl
The force stays at the front here. Moving it one beat along gives the rhythm of unable instead.
Tip: Capability pulls the punch onto its third beat and shortens the a: kay-puh-BI-luh-tee keeps the ay, while capacity loses it.
More words starting with c · Every word in the pronunciation guide