enable
verb
en·able i-ˈnā-bəl 
enabled; enabling i-ˈnā-b(ə-)liŋ
transitive verb
1
a
: to provide with the means or opportunity
training that enables people to earn a living
b
: to make possible, practical, or easy
a deal that would enable passage of a new law
c
: to cause to operate
software that enables the keyboard
2
: to give legal power, capacity, or sanction to
a law enabling admission of a state
Did you know?
Enabling: The Behavior of an Enabler
Enable has a number of senses, most of which are some variant on allowing someone (or something, such as enabling cookies on a computer) to do something. In the past several decades, enable has also started to take on a new associated sense in the field of addiction studies, where enabling is viewed as giving misguided support to a person with some substance-abuse issue. A person who facilitates the self-destructive behavior of another is referred to as an enabler.
Synonyms
- allow
- empower
- let
- permit
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The machine enables us to create copies without losing quality. The system enables students to access class materials online. These choices are part of what enabled the company to be successful. a filing system that enables easy access to information Be sure to enable your computer's firewall.
Recent Examples on the Web Atlanta Public Schools used nearly $2.2 million to provide on-site child care for 1,800 teachers to enable them to staff summer programs. 
New York Times, 8 Sep. 2022 Arms control agreements with the United States would enable him to cut his military budget and free up money for domestic programs. Marilyn Berger, BostonGlobe.com, 30 Aug. 2022 Cognitive awareness: Your cognitive and social skills enable you to pay attention, remember and organize information, solve problems, make decisions and communicate effectively with others. Laura Newberry, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2022 The veteran rocker also noted how festivals enable him, as an artist, to watch other performers. The Indianapolis Star, 29 Aug. 2022 This will enable us to work smarter and stronger, maximizing existing expertise while freeing up resources to compete on a larger scale. Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Aug. 2022 This will enable us to work smarter and stronger, maximizing existing expertise while freeing up resources to compete on a larger scale. Selome Hailu, Variety, 26 Aug. 2022 It’s one thing to allow employees to be flexible, but something else entirely to enable them to do it. Holger Reisinger, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2022 Eye- and face-tracking tech is supposed to capture a person’s expressions and enable them to make eye contact in VR settings. WIRED, 29 Aug. 2022 See More
New York Times, 8 Sep. 2022 Arms control agreements with the United States would enable him to cut his military budget and free up money for domestic programs. Marilyn Berger, BostonGlobe.com, 30 Aug. 2022 Cognitive awareness: Your cognitive and social skills enable you to pay attention, remember and organize information, solve problems, make decisions and communicate effectively with others. Laura Newberry, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2022 The veteran rocker also noted how festivals enable him, as an artist, to watch other performers. The Indianapolis Star, 29 Aug. 2022 This will enable us to work smarter and stronger, maximizing existing expertise while freeing up resources to compete on a larger scale. Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Aug. 2022 This will enable us to work smarter and stronger, maximizing existing expertise while freeing up resources to compete on a larger scale. Selome Hailu, Variety, 26 Aug. 2022 It’s one thing to allow employees to be flexible, but something else entirely to enable them to do it. Holger Reisinger, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2022 Eye- and face-tracking tech is supposed to capture a person’s expressions and enable them to make eye contact in VR settings. WIRED, 29 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Kids Definition
enable
verb
en·able i-ˈnā-bəl
enabled; enabling
: to give strength, power, or ability to : make able A good night's sleep enabled me to face the day refreshed.
enable
verb
1
as in to let
to make able or possible my new glasses enable me to read the fine print Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- let
- allow
- empower
- permit
- prepare
- equip
- ready
- qualify
- approve
- endorse
- fit
- sanction
- habilitate
- condition
- indorse
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- prevent
- preclude
- inhibit
- prohibit
- forbid
- disallow
- enjoin
2
as in to empower
to give official or legal power to a law that would enable the authorities to inspect food preparation areas for health code violations Synonyms & Similar Words
- empower
- authorize
- qualify
- allow
- permit
- invest
- certify
- commission
- license
- entitle
- accredit
- warrant
- charter
- vest
- approve
- induct
- initiate
- licence
- let
- validate
- confirm
- endorse
- affirm
- sanction
- install
- inaugurate
- credential
- okay
- clear
- instate
- indorse
- privilege
- swear in
- OK
- enfranchise
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- prevent
- disqualify
- exclude
- hinder
- impede
- discourage
- inhibit
- constrain
- stop
- disallow
- deny
- obstruct
- prohibit
- forbid
- block
- hold back
- ban
- enjoin
- bar
- proscribe
- disenfranchise
- disfranchise
- disbar
- outlaw
- veto
- shut out
- interdict
- butter of antimony
- butter of tin
- butter oil
- butter paper
- butter pat
- butter pear
- butter plate
- butter print
- butter sauce
- butter spreader
- butter tree
- butter up
- butter weight
- butter wouldn't melt in someone's mouth
- butter yellow
- butter-and-egg man
- butter-and-eggs
- butter-rigged
- butter-rose
- butterball
- butterballs
- butterbeans
- butterbill
- butterboat
- butterboat-bill