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stable

B1
verbadjectivenoun

Pronunciation

UK

  • /stˈeɪbəl/

US

  • /ˈsteɪbəl/

Description

Something is stable when it stays steady, does not fall over, and does not change too quickly. A table with strong legs feels stable because it does not wobble. A person with a stable income gets money regularly. A stable relationship feels calm, dependable, and not full of sudden trouble. Even your emotions can be stable, meaning they do not swing wildly from one extreme to another.

The word can also mean a building for horses. You might see a stable on a farm or at a riding school. In everyday use, though, the word often describes things like a government, economy, or routine that feels steady and under control. If your bike shakes and wobbles, it is not stable; if it moves smoothly, it is.

Examples

  1. 1

    Physical safety

    Make sure the ladder is stable before you climb it.

  2. 2

    Employment

    After years of temporary work, she finally found a stable job.

  3. 3

    Internet service

    The internet connection has been stable all morning.

  4. 4

    Prices

    House prices have remained fairly stable this year.

  5. 5

    Medical condition

    The patient's condition is stable, but he will stay in the hospital overnight.

  6. 6

    Family life

    Children usually do better in a stable home environment.

  7. 7

    Emotional state

    He wasn't emotionally stable enough to make a big decision that day.

  8. 8

    Government

    Voters want a stable government that can last longer than a few months.

Forms and spellings

6 forms open this card.

Main spelling

  • stablenounverbadjective

Forms

  • stablespluralnounverbadjective
  • stablercomparativeadjectiveverbnoun
  • stabling-ing formverbadjectivenoun
  • stabledpast tenseverbadjectivenoun
  • stablestsuperlativeadjectiveverbnoun