ability

¹

[ uh-bil-i-tee ]

noun

, plural a·bil·i·ties.

1. power or capacity to do or act physically, mentally, legally, morally, financially, etc.

   Synonyms: expertness, dexterity, proficiency, capability

2. competence in an activity or occupation because of one's skill, training, or other qualification:

   the ability to sing well.

3. abilities, talents; special skills or aptitudes:

   Composing music is beyond his abilities.

-ability

²

1. a combination of -able and -ity, found on nouns corresponding to adjectives ending in -able:

   capability.

ability

/ əˈbɪlɪtɪ /

noun

1. possession of the qualities required to do something; necessary skill, competence, or power

   the ability to cope with a problem

2. considerable proficiency; natural capability

   a man of ability

3. plural special talents

Other Words From

• suba·bili·ty noun plural subabilities

Word History and Origins

Origin of ability¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English (h)abilite, from Middle French, from Latin habilitās “aptitude,” equivalent to habili(s) “handy” ( able ) + -tās -ty ²; replacing Middle English ablete, from Old French, from Latin, as above

Origin of ability²

Middle English -abilite, from French -abilité, from Latin -ābilitās (inflectional stem -ābilitāt- )

Word History and Origins

Origin of ability¹

C14: from Old French from Latin habilitās aptitude, handiness, from habilis able

Synonym Study

Ability, faculty, talent denote qualifications or powers. Ability is a general word for power, native or acquired, enabling one to do things well: a person of great ability; ability in mathematics. Faculty denotes a natural ability for a particular kind of action: a faculty of saying what he means. Talent is often used to mean a native ability or aptitude in a special field: a talent for music or art.

Example Sentences

"It's possible this ability to digest dairy was important to survival during periods of crop failure, food scarcity and disease," Narasimhan said.

From Science Daily

"We want students with the ability to create and the motivation to realise visions of the future: who seek large-scale and unique solutions."

From Science Daily

It would not impede their ability to travel to the United States.

From Los Angeles Times

But, as in “Men,” Kinnear’s appearance of placidity makes his characters’ nefarious tendencies even more chilling; his ability to draw his mouth into a grim implacable line is second to none.

From Los Angeles Times

Both have played well, but the style shift is affecting Villa’s ability to control games.

From BBC

Related Words

• capability
• capacity
• competence
• intelligence
• qualification
• skill
• strength
• talent
• understanding