Capably
What it means
With the skill and judgment needed to produce a sound result.
Reach for it when describing competent performance without exaggerating it as exceptional
The deputy capably managed the office during the director's absence.
Words to choose between 5
| everyday | |
|---|---|
| professional |
|
| formal | |
| literary |
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everyday
Fits when technique or practiced dexterity is visible
Careful A wise decision can be made capably without displaying a particular skill.
-
professional
competently
Fits when meeting a recognized standard is the exact praise
Careful Competently can sound merely adequate when the performance deserves warmer credit.
-
professional
Fits when achieving the intended result matters most
Careful An accidental success may be effective without showing capability.
-
formal
Fits when concise, restrained praise suits the sentence
Careful Ably sounds more formal and less conversational than capably.
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literary
Fits when the performance is quick, neat, and assured
Careful Deftly oversells routine work that was solid but not especially nimble.
Opposites 3
- poorly
- ineptly
- incompetently
Common phrases 3
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handle capably
Rosa can handle the negotiations capably while Amir is away.
-
capably led
The expedition was capably led through rapidly changing weather.
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perform capably
New volunteers can perform capably after the practical workshop.
Word family 2
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Vealhurl, Southern England accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Updated