operable

adjective

op·​er·​a·​ble ˈä-p(ə-)rə-bəl How to pronounce operable (audio)
Synonyms of operablenext
1
: fit, possible, or desirable to use
The radio is operable without the car running.
2
: likely to result in a favorable outcome upon surgical treatment
an operable cancer
operability
ˌä-p(ə-)rə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce operable (audio)
noun
operably
ˈä-pə-rə-blē How to pronounce operable (audio)
adverb

Synonyms of operable

Relevance
See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of operable in a Sentence

The radio is operable without the car running. the historic wooden ship has been fully restored and is once again an operable seafaring vessel
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In Florida, e-bikes are defined as a bicycle or tricycle with fully operable pedals, a seat or saddle and an electric motor of less than 750 watts. — Amaia Gavica, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026 The vehicles were still operable, just without perks that had been included when the owners purchased their vehicles. — Robert Ferris, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2026 These operable skylights bring in more natural light and fresh air to help regulate daylight, humidity, temperature, and airflow. — Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Aug. 2026 Additionally, a window seat is positioned next to a large operable window. — Adam Williams july 20, New Atlas, 20 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for operable

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Late Latin operābilis "active, efficacious," from operārī "to work, be efficacious" + Latin -ābilis -able — more at operate

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of operable was in 1646

Rhymes for operable

See All Rhymes for operable

Browse Nearby Words

operability
operable
opéra bouffe
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Operable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/operable. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

operable

adjective
op·​er·​a·​ble ˈäp-(ə-)rə-bəl How to pronounce operable (audio)
1
: fit, possible, or desirable to use
2
: likely to have a favorable result upon surgical treatment
an operable cancer

Medical Definition

operable

adjective
op·​er·​a·​ble ˈäp-(ə-)rə-bəl How to pronounce operable (audio)
1
: fit, possible, or desirable to use
2
: likely to result in a favorable outcome upon surgical treatment
operability
ˌäp-(ə-)rə-ˈbil-ət-ē How to pronounce operable (audio)
noun
plural operabilities
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All