suitable English · revision 5654

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1581}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈsuː.tə.bəl/, /ˈsjuː.tə.bəl/, US /ˈsuː.t̬ə.bəl/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed from the verb [[suit]] and [[-able]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) on the pattern of [[agreeable]].^(SOED 2002)^(NODE 1998)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Matching, of furniture, dress and the like: 1581 in MWU, 1582 in the OED, the 1580s in Etymonline.^(MWU 2024)^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) A rare sense “suable” is recorded in the mid-16th century.^(SOED 2002)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Of persons, actions and conditions, conforming or agreeing is from 1592,^(OED 1989) and fitted to a person's character or needs, appropriate, from 1607.^(OED 1989) The matching sense was obsolete by the early 18th century.^(SOED 2002) Earlier English had suit-like (1560s), and Middle English suitly “so as to match”.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1581 – matching.^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1592 – in agreement with.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1607 – appropriate.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Right or [[appropriate]] for a particular purpose, person or occasion.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[suitability]]

+ * [[suitably]]

+ * [[suitableness]]

+ * [[unsuitable]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[suit]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}