What does able-bodied mean?
Able-bodied means (possessional) Having a sound, strong body; physically competent; robust; fit for service..
Able-bodied
/ˈeɪ.bl̩ˌbɑ.did/ · adjective
Meaning
(possessional) Having a sound, strong body; physically competent; robust; fit for service..
Definitions by Sense
- (possessional) Having a sound, strong body; physically competent; robust; fit for service.
- Not disabled; having no physical disability.
- (nautical) Capable of performing all requisite duties as a seaman, specifically in the Royal Navy, a rating between leading and ordinary.
Example Sentences
A servant determinately idle, leaving his work, or an able-bodied vagrant, roaming the country without means of honest self-support and without seeking employment, was to be brought before the two nearest magistrates.
It’s little wonder that Spanish invaders, led by Hernán Cortés, so easily conquered the Aztecs. By the time they arrived, most of the able-bodied men were dead either from having their hearts yanked out or falling off the pyramid.
Unfair discrimination between the able-bodied and the disabled is illegal in many places.
Synonyms for able-bodied
Antonyms for able-bodied
Related Words
Word Forms
- more able-bodied
- most able-bodied
Usage Notes
Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.
Practice and Learn More
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a synonym for able-bodied?
Common synonyms include abled, enabled, fit, healthy.
What is the opposite of able-bodied?
Possible antonyms include disabled.
How do you use able-bodied in a sentence?
A servant determinately idle, leaving his work, or an able-bodied vagrant, roaming the country without means of honest self-support and without seeking employment, was to be brought before the two nearest magistrates.
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.