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 notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Plural
- sables
- Comparative
- sabler
- Superlative
- sablest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
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.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for sable
See all rhymes for sable →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.
