suitable
SYOO-tuh-b
Suitable (adjective) means Right or appropriate for a particular purpose, person, or occasion. Example: “That film isn't suitable for young children.”
adjective
1
Right or appropriate for a particular purpose, person, or occasion.
"That film isn't suitable for young children."
"We need to find a candidate suitable for the role."
"Is this restaurant suitable for a large birthday party on Saturday?"
"Doctors told Matthew Parker’s family there was only a 1% chance of finding a suitable donor for Matthew because his body had rejected a previous transplant."
— Rachel Janik, Texas Teacher Will Donate a Kidney to 6-Year-Old Student (2015)
How to use suitable
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFitting the needs or requirements of a situation.
Common pairings
suitable for
a suitable candidate
deem suitable
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more suitable
- Superlative
- most suitable
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
That film isn't _____ for young children.
Etymology
From suit plus the adjective ending -able, literally "able to be suited (to something)."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for suitable
See all rhymes for suitable →Frequently asked questions
What does “suitable” mean?
The word “suitable” means right or appropriate for a particular purpose, person, or occasion. In plain terms, fitting the needs or requirements of a situation.
How do you pronounce “suitable”?
“Suitable” is pronounced SYOO-tuh-b ([ˈsju.tə.bɫ̩] in IPA).
How do you use “suitable” in a sentence?
Here is “suitable” used in a sentence: “That film isn't suitable for young children.”
What is the opposite of “suitable”?
The opposite of “suitable” — its antonyms — is unsuitable.
What part of speech is “suitable”?
“Suitable” is an adjective.
Is “suitable” a common word?
“Suitable” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between suitable and appropriate?
Both mean right for a particular purpose, person, or occasion, and they are often interchangeable. Suitable tends to emphasize practical fit, as in "suitable for children" or "a suitable venue," while appropriate leans slightly more formal and often concerns what social norms or rules call for, as in "appropriate behaviour." In most sentences either word works.
Is it suitable for or suitable to?
Suitable for is the standard pattern when naming a purpose, person, or occasion: "suitable for beginners," "suitable for outdoor use." Suitable to appears mainly in more formal or older phrasing, such as "suitable to the occasion." When in doubt, use suitable for.
What is the difference between suitable and suited?
Suitable describes something as right or appropriate in itself: "a suitable candidate." Suited is the participle of suit and usually appears with to or for to express a match between two things: "she is well suited to the role." Suitable modifies a noun directly, while suited normally needs a complement.
Is the opposite of suitable insuitable or unsuitable?
The correct negative form is unsuitable, as in "unsuitable for young viewers." Insuitable is not a standard English word. English negates this adjective with the prefix un-, not in-.
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