adjective

stable

/ˈsteɪbəl/ · say it: STAY·bul

firmly fixed; not likely to change

In Describing & Comparing

In more detail

1. (adjective) not likely to change or fall; firmly in place

2. (adjective) calm and not easily upset; emotionally balanced

3. (noun) a building where horses are kept

Examples

1. The ladder feels stable enough to climb.
2. She has a stable personality and rarely gets angry.
3. The farmer kept his horses in the stable.

How to use stable

As an adjective, stable describes something that resists change or disturbance—whether physical (a stable platform), emotional (a stable person), or abstract (a stable economy). It emphasizes reliability and predictability over time. When referring to a person, it suggests emotional maturity and dependability rather than excitement or volatility.

Common phrases

stable relationship
stable condition
stable income
emotionally stable
stable equilibrium

Synonyms

steady · secure · firm · balanced · solid

Opposites

unstable · precarious · volatile

Word family

stability (noun) · stably (adverb) · stabilize (verb) · stabilizer (noun)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse stable with stabled (the past participle of the verb 'to stable,' meaning to put a horse in a stable), or use 'stability' when the adjective 'stable' is required.

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