e.g. a workable solution is a solution which can work e.g. a doable suggestion is a suggestion which can be implemented, carried out We usually use "workable" for things like plans, solutions, schemes. I need a water supply for my house. So I find a builder. I ask him: "Can you build me a well so that I can draw water from below the earth?" He says: "Building a well is doable - I have the skills and materials. But as a way of delivering water to your house reliably, it's not very workable. You will need a lot of manual labour and a way to purify the water."