Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Physically strong and healthy: Describes a person who is robust, fit, and free from significant physical disability or illness.
   • Fit for service or labor: Specifically denotes someone who meets the physical requirements for demanding work, such as military service or manual labor.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The search and rescue team was composed of able-bodied volunteers.
  • After months of training, he was fully able-bodied and ready for the expedition.
  • The policy required every able-bodied citizen to contribute during the crisis.

Advanced Usage

• "Able-bodied" as a legal or formal category: Often used in official contexts to distinguish individuals fit for specific duties.

  • The law exempted only those with certified disabilities from the able-bodied workforce requirement.

• Societal and contextual sensitivity: In modern discourse, the term is sometimes contrasted with "disabled" in discussions of accessibility, rights, and inclusion. It is important to use the term neutrally and factually.

Variants and Related Words

• Able-bodied seaman (AB): (Noun) A certified, skilled sailor, historically the rank above an ordinary seaman.

  • He worked his way up to become an able-bodied seaman.

• Able-bodiedness: (Noun, less common) The state or condition of being physically fit and capable.

  • His able-bodiedness was an asset in the physically demanding job.

Synonyms

• Fit: In good health and physical condition.
• Robust: Strong and healthy; vigorous.
• Hale: (Especially of an old person) strong and healthy.
• Sound: In good condition; solid and reliable.

Antonyms

• Disabled: Having a physical or mental condition that limits movements, senses, or activities.
• Infirm: Weak or ill, especially from old age.
• Unfit: Not in good physical condition.

Related Phrases and Compounds

• Able-bodied worker: A term used in labor and economic contexts.

  • The factory sought able-bodied workers for its construction project.

• Able-bodied adult: A common demographic classification.

  • The program was designed for able-bodied adults between 18 and 50.

Adjective

1. having a strong healthy body
   • an able seaman
   • every able-bodied young man served in the army