WordGarden.iostable
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /stˈeɪbəl/
US
- /ˈsteɪbəl/
Meanings
Adjective
not likely to change, fail, or become worse
firmly balanced or not likely to fall or move
mentally or emotionally balanced and not easily upset
More meaningsFewer meanings
reliable and unlikely to crash or behave unpredictably in software or systems
not easily changing, decomposing, or losing equilibrium in a scientific context
Noun
a building or establishment where horses are kept
Beyond the definition
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.
The word "stable" describes something that is firm, steady, and not likely to change suddenly or fall apart. It can talk about physical things, such as a chair, ladder, or building, but it is also used for less physical things like jobs, feelings, and governments.
A stable situation feels balanced and predictable. If a country has a stable government, people expect it to keep working without major disorder. If someone has a stable job or income, they can count on it continuing. If a person seems emotionally stable, their feelings and behavior are fairly even instead of changing in extreme ways.
The word is also used in science. In chemistry, a stable substance does not react easily. More generally, the idea is the same: it stays as it is unless something strong changes it.
Stable can also be a noun. A stable is a building where horses are kept and cared for. This older meaning is still common when people talk about farms, riding schools, or horse racing.
Across all these uses, the word suggests safety, control, and lasting strength. Whether you are talking about a smooth table, a calm life, a healthy economy, or a place where horses sleep, stable gives the sense that things are secure and not likely to go wrong suddenly.
Examples
- 1
Physical safety
Make sure the ladder is stable before you climb it.
- 2
Employment
After years of temporary work, she finally found a stable job.
- 3
Internet service
The internet connection has been stable all morning.
- 4
Prices
House prices have remained fairly stable this year.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Medical condition
The patient's condition is stable, but he will stay in the hospital overnight.
- 6
Family life
Children usually do better in a stable home environment.
- 7
Emotional state
He wasn't emotionally stable enough to make a big decision that day.
- 8
Government
Voters want a stable government that can last longer than a few months.
See also
Forms and spellings
6 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- stablenounverbadjective
Forms
- stablespluralnounverbadjective
- stablercomparativeadjectiveverbnoun
- stabling-ing formverbadjectivenoun
- stabledpast tenseverbadjectivenoun
- stablestsuperlativeadjectiveverbnoun