Definition of "be able to" [be able to]

• Can, to have the ability to (verb)

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• "The editors knew how difficult he was to pin down and thought that Kaplan might be able to help the photographer, Sian Kennedy, by being present for the shoot."
• "The previous year, Hal Fowler, an amateur, had won, besting fifty-three competitors, and that had given a lot of recreational players the idea that they, too, might be able to compete with the pros."
• "The idea that the world champion might not be able to defend his title was unfathomable."