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noun

sable

SAY-buhl

Sable (noun) means a small, weasel-like mammal prized for its soft, dark brown fur. Example: “The coat was trimmed with genuine sable fur.”

noun
1
A small, weasel-like mammal prized for its soft, dark brown fur.
"The coat was trimmed with genuine sable fur."
2
A dark brown or black color, or garments of that color, especially worn in mourning.
"The mourners were dressed in somber sables."
adj
1
Black or very dark in color; in heraldry, the color black on a coat of arms.
"The knight's shield bore a sable lion on a gold field."

How to use sable

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither the small fur-bearing animal itself, its prized dark fur, or (as an adjective) simply the color black, especially in heraldry or poetic writing.

Common pairings
sable fur sable coat sable brush

Word forms

sabler comparative, sables plural, sablest superlative

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The coat was trimmed with genuine _____ fur.

Etymology

From Old French sable, ultimately from a Slavic word for the animal, borrowed through Medieval Latin and Middle Low German as the fur trade carried the word westward.

Origin: Medieval Latin

ebony jet black coal black soot black sable brush pitch black sable's hair pencil

Related words

Rhymes for sable

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Frequently asked questions

What does “sable” mean?

The word “sable” means a small, weasel-like mammal prized for its soft, dark brown fur. In plain terms, either the small fur-bearing animal itself, its prized dark fur, or (as an adjective) simply the color black, especially in heraldry or poetic writing.

How do you pronounce “sable”?

“Sable” is pronounced SAY-buhl (/ˈseɪbəl/ in IPA).

How do you use “sable” in a sentence?

Here is “sable” used in a sentence: “The coat was trimmed with genuine sable fur.”

What part of speech is “sable”?

Depending on how it is used, “sable” can be a noun and an adjective.

Where does the word “sable” come from?

The word “sable” comes from Medieval Latin. From Old French sable, ultimately from a Slavic word for the animal, borrowed through Medieval Latin and Middle Low German as the fur trade carried the word westward.

How many meanings does “sable” have?

“Sable” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small, weasel-like mammal prized for its soft, dark brown fur.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial