ability

¹

[ uh-bil-i-tee ]

noun

plural abilities.

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 Word Forms

• 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.

Related Words

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