capable and open share a recorded sense, so the question is not what they mean but which one fits. capable means “(usually followed by `of') having capacity or ability”. open means “affording unobstructed entrance and exit; not shut or closed”. open is the more common of the two in everyday English.
/ˈkeɪpəbəl/
1.adj.(usually followed by `of') having capacity or ability
“capable of winning”
2.adj.possibly accepting or permitting
“a passage capable of misinterpretation”
3.adj.(followed by `of') having the temperament or inclination for
“no one believed her capable of murder”
/ˈoʊpən/
1.adj.affording unobstructed entrance and exit; not shut or closed
“an open door”
2.adj.affording free passage or access
“open drains”
3.adj.with no protection or shield
“the exposed northeast frontier”
| capable | open | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈkeɪpəbəl/ | /ˈoʊpən/ |
| Said | KAY-puh-buhl | OH-puhn |
| Syllables | 3 | 2 |
| Letters | 7 | 4 |
| Parts of speech | adjective | adjective, verb, noun |
| Senses | 5 | 36 |
| How common | Common | Core |
| Synonyms | none recorded | unfastened |
Full entry for capable · Full entry for open · More comparisons