verb B1 Intermediate Uncommon

disable

dihs-AY-buhl

Disable (verb) means to take away someone's ability to do something, especially by injuring them. Example: “The stroke disabled him on one side of his body.”

verb

To take away someone's ability to do something, especially by injuring them.

"The stroke disabled him on one side of his body."

"A serious knee injury disabled the star player for the season."

To turn off or deactivate a function, especially on a device or system.

"You can disable notifications in the settings menu."

"The technician disabled the alarm before entering the building."

How to use disable

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo make something or someone unable to function, whether that's a body, a machine, or a feature.

Common pairings

disable a feature disable an account permanently disabled

Word forms

more disable comparative, disabled past tense, disables singular, most disable superlative

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The stroke _____ him on one side of his body.

Etymology

From dis- ("not, opposite of") plus able, tracing back through Old French to Latin habilis, "manageable."

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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unable deactivate disenable cripple incapacitate

Antonyms

enable capacitate re-enable

Related words

let act allow capacity unable enable skilled facilitate

Rhymes for disable

able fable cable table viable liable stable tenable parable affable amiable notable

See all rhymes for disable →

Frequently asked questions

What does “disable” mean?

The word “disable” means to take away someone's ability to do something, especially by injuring them. In plain terms, to make something or someone unable to function, whether that's a body, a machine, or a feature.

How do you pronounce “disable”?

“Disable” is pronounced dihs-AY-buhl (/dɪsˈeɪbəl/ in IPA).

How do you use “disable” in a sentence?

Here is “disable” used in a sentence: “The stroke disabled him on one side of his body.”

What is another word for “disable”?

Words with a similar meaning to “disable” include unable, deactivate, disenable, cripple and incapacitate.

What is the opposite of “disable”?

The opposite of “disable” — its antonyms — are enable, capacitate and re-enable.

What part of speech is “disable”?

“Disable” is a verb.

Where does the word “disable” come from?

The word “disable” comes from Latin. From dis- ("not, opposite of") plus able, tracing back through Old French to Latin habilis, "manageable.".

Is “disable” a common word?

“Disable” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

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let act allow capacity unable enable skilled facilitate