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

Looking back at “U2:UV,” the Edge, 63, says a Sphere production is “its own distinct kind of art form — a new art form, I think, not just for music but for narrative film, for documentary, for all kinds of presentations. It’s the ability to translocate the audience to a new place, be it real or imaginary.”

From Los Angeles Times

If the majority of my country is fine with an America-attacking vulgar racist, whose only true talent is the ability to somehow always go lower, I find it terribly sad and wildly dangerous.

From Salon

The spokeswoman added that the challenges faced by the sector were hitting its ability to stay open, retain staff, and produce new work.

From BBC

"I think the prosecution's wish is to deprive the French people of the ability to vote for whom they want," she said after the hearing in the French capital, where she is on trial with 24 other defendants.

From BBC

One of Southgate's other big qualities was an ability to foster a fierce sense of unity in England's squad, not something that will be helped by suggestions from the captain that some may be more interested in club than country.

From BBC

Related Words

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