able-bodied
/ˌeɪbl ˈbɒdid/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌeɪbl ˈbɑːdid/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌā-bəl-ˈbä-dēd/ (ame, mw)
able-bodied — adjective
1. physically strong and free from a condition that limits ordinary activity or wor
physically strong and free from a condition that limits ordinary activity or work
The camp accepts only able-bodied adults for the mountain trail.
able-bodied + plural noun
Hyun stayed able-bodied after months of daily stretching and walking.
linking verb: stay able-bodied
The farm needs able-bodied workers during the short apple harvest.
Before the fall, Diego was an able-bodied roofer with steady work.
文法句型
able-bodied adult
able-bodied worker
be able-bodied after an injury
用法筆記
Most often used before nouns such as adult, worker, or passenger. It can also follow be, stay, or remain, especially when comparing someone before and after an injury or illness.
2. people who are physically fit enough to work or help, especially when contrasted
people who are physically fit enough to work or help, especially when contrasted with those who are injured or disabled
The storm shelter asked the able-bodied to carry water upstairs.
the able-bodied = healthy people as a group
During the flood, the able-bodied helped older neighbors reach the school gym.
The village taxed the able-bodied to repair the broken bridge.
Aid workers first moved children, then called on the able-bodied.
- healthy people
plainer and less formal, without the contrastive policy tone
- the fit
rarer and more informal, often about exercise rather than work capacity
- the disabled
group term used in contrast, though many contexts prefer disabled people
- the injured
narrower, focusing on temporary physical harm
文法句型
the able-bodied
ask the able-bodied to help
用法筆記
This sense usually appears as the able-bodied and refers to a class of people, not to one person. Distinguish it from adjective/1, which describes a particular noun such as an adult or worker.