operable

IPA/ˈɒpərəbl/
KK[ˈɑpɚəbəl]IPA/ˈɑːpərəbl/

operable — adjective

  • operablepositive
  • more operablecomparative
  • most operablesuperlative

1. describes equipment, systems, or facilities that are in good enough condition to

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

describes equipment, systems, or facilities that are in good enough condition to be used for the purpose they were built for.

Example

The old factory's machinery is still operable after years of neglect.

collocation: still operable

Ayana checked whether the emergency generator was operable before the storm arrived.

Common collocations
  • still operable
  • fully operable
  • barely operable
  • remain operable
  • deem operable
  • no longer operable
Synonyms
  • usable

    broader term; applies to anything that can be used, not just mechanical equipment

  • functional

    focuses on the ability to perform the intended job correctly

  • serviceable

    implies the item is older or worn but still works adequately

Antonyms

Usage Note

Often appears in inspection reports, maintenance logs, and technical documents as a formal alternative to 'working' or 'usable'. Not common in everyday conversation.

Common Mistakes

Is the coffee machine operable?
Is the coffee machine working?
'operable' sounds overly formal for everyday situations; use 'working' or 'usable' instead.

2. describes a medical condition, growth, or blocked organ that a doctor can succes

2.adjectiveC1
Definition

describes a medical condition, growth, or blocked organ that a doctor can successfully treat by cutting into the body during a surgical operation.

Example

The MRI showed that the tumour was operable, so the surgeon scheduled the procedure.

collocation: operable tumour

Daichi felt hopeful after the doctor confirmed his condition was operable.

Common collocations
  • operable tumour
  • operable cancer
  • operable condition
  • considered operable
  • deemed operable
  • still operable
Synonyms
  • treatable

    broader; includes treatment by medicine, radiation, or other methods, not just surgery

  • resectable

    more technical; specifically means the growth can be surgically cut out

Antonyms
  • inoperable

    not suitable for surgical treatment; often used for advanced-stage cancers

Usage Note

Medical professionals use this term specifically about a disease or abnormal growth, not about the patient. The patient is said to 'have an operable condition'. The opposite is 'inoperable', meaning surgery would not help or is too risky.

Common Mistakes

The patient is operable.
The patient's tumour is operable.
'operable' describes the condition, not the person.
Doctors said her broken leg was operable.
Doctors said her broken leg could be treated with surgery.
'operable' is typically used for tumours, growths, or blocked organs, not for broken bones.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All four describe something that can be used effectively, but they differ in tone and scope. 'Usable' is the broadest and most neutral — any item, tool, or system that serves its purpose is usable. 'Functional' emphasises that something performs its core job correctly even if it is not perfect or attractive. 'Serviceable' adds a nuance of age or wear — a serviceable car may be old and rusty but still gets you where you need to go. 'Workable' is common for plans, ideas, or solutions rather than machines: a workable schedule may not be ideal but it can be put into practice. 'Operable' is the most formal of the four and typically appears in technical or official writing about equipment, systems, or facilities.

usable ↗functional ↗serviceableworkable ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • deemed operable
  • considered operable
  • remains operable
  • rendered operable

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Comes from the Latin verb 'operari' meaning 'to work' or 'to labour', which passed into French as 'opérable' before entering English in the early 1600s. The medical sense — referring to conditions that can be treated surgically — developed in the late 1800s as anaesthesia and antiseptic techniques made operations safer and more common.

First known use

1646

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 1