Trainable describes someone or something capable of learning new skills or behaviors through instruction and practice. A trainable puppy can learn to sit, stay, and come when called. A trainable employee quickly picks up new procedures and improves with guidance.

The word suggests potential waiting to be developed. When coaches say an athlete is highly trainable, they mean that person absorbs feedback, corrects mistakes, and steadily improves. When a machine learning system is described as trainable, it means the system can adjust and get better at its task with more data.

Being trainable often involves certain qualities: paying attention, following instructions, practicing regularly, and learning from mistakes. A trainable student doesn't just listen passively but actively works to master new material. The opposite would be someone rigid or resistant to learning, who insists on doing things only one way.

In animal training, some species are more trainable than others. Dogs are famously trainable, while cats have a reputation for being less trainable. The most trainable animals are often intelligent, social, and motivated by rewards.

Human intelligence includes remarkable trainability. People can learn almost anything with enough time, effort, and good instruction: playing piano, speaking French, solving equations, or building robots.