equable

IPA/ˈekwəbl/
KK[ˈɛkwəbəl]IPA/ˈekwəbl/

equable — adjective

  • equablepositive
  • more equablecomparative
  • most equablesuperlative

1. consistently friendly, good-natured, and pleasant in the way you behave toward o

1.形容詞C1
釋義

consistently friendly, good-natured, and pleasant in the way you behave toward other people, never seeming grumpy or irritable.

例句

Wren's equable greeting every morning lifted the spirits of her whole team.

collocation: equable greeting / equable manner

The old librarian was so equable that even noisy children felt welcome.

同義詞
  • good-natured

    more everyday, less formal

  • amiable

    similar register, focuses on friendliness

  • genial

    emphasises warmth and cheerfulness

反義詞

用法筆記

Describes a stable character trait, not a temporary mood. Use for someone whose everyday manner is consistently pleasant, not just on a particular occasion.

常見錯誤

❌The weather felt equable today.
✅The weather felt mild today.
💡for weather, equable means steady/unchanging, not simply pleasant.

2. staying the same over time without sudden or extreme changes, especially describ

2.形容詞C1
釋義

staying the same over time without sudden or extreme changes, especially describing weather, temperature, or other natural conditions.

例句

The coastal region has an equable climate, with mild winters and cool summers.

collocation: equable climate

Hoa's garden thrived in the equable temperatures of the central highlands.

同義詞
  • steady

    more common and broader in application

  • uniform

    more technical, suggests exact sameness

  • consistent

    broader usage, for behaviour or quality

反義詞
  • erratic

    opposite in weather/climate contexts

  • variable

    opposite in scientific contexts

用法筆記

Most commonly pairs with climate-related nouns (climate, temperature, weather). Unlike steady, equable carries a connotation of moderate pleasantness, not just lack of change.

常見錯誤

❌The river has an equable flow.
✅The river has a steady flow.
💡equable is rarely used for water movement; stick to climate and temperature contexts.

3. not easily upset, annoyed, or worried; able to remain calm and self-controlled e

3.形容詞C1
釋義

not easily upset, annoyed, or worried; able to remain calm and self-controlled even when things go wrong or tensions run high.

例句

Sahil remained equable when the computer system crashed on the final day.

remained equable + when / despite [crisis]

Jin gave an equable reply despite the unfair accusations from the board.

同義詞
  • even-tempered

    direct synonym, slightly more colloquial

  • composed

    focuses on self-control in the moment

  • placid

    can suggest a naturally calm, perhaps passive, nature

反義詞

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1 (PLEASANT DISPOSITION): sense 1 describes friendliness toward others; sense 3 describes inner calm and emotional stability under pressure. A person can be equable in sense 3 (stay calm in a crisis) without being particularly warm or pleasant toward others.

常見錯誤

❌She felt equable after the massage.
✅She felt calm after the massage.
💡equable describes a stable personality trait, not a temporary relaxed state.