aptitude

[ ap-ti-tood, -tyood ]

noun

1. capability; ability; innate or acquired capacity for something; talent:

   She has a special aptitude for mathematics.

   Synonyms: bent, propensity, proclivity, predisposition, faculty, gift

2. readiness or quickness in learning; intelligence:

   He was placed in honors classes because of his general aptitude.

   Synonyms: acumen

3. the state or quality of being apt; special fitness.

aptitude

/ ˈæptɪˌtjuːd /

noun

1. inherent or acquired ability
2. ease in learning or understanding; intelligence
3. the condition or quality of being apt

Other Words From

• ap·ti·tu·di·nal [ap-ti-, tood, -n-l, -, tyood, -], adjective
• ap·ti·tu·di·nal·ly adverb
• pre·ap·ti·tude noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of aptitude¹

First recorded in 1400–50; from Late Latin aptitūdō; apt, -i-, -tude

Word History and Origins

Origin of aptitude¹

C15: via Old French from Late Latin aptitūdō, from Latin aptus apt

Example Sentences

His uniquely broad aptitude allows him not only to overpower smaller defenders who switch, but also to prey on an opponent who’s been pressed into an uncomfortable rotation.

From FiveThirtyEight

As discussed, having the right technology is important, but it is only as effective as having employees with the aptitude to use it efficiently and effectively.

From MIT Technology Review

It’s best when it is individualized, with progress based on a student’s personal aptitude and proficiency as they move toward mastering the material.

From TechCrunch

If you sit down with pencil, paper, and enough of an aptitude for orbital dynamics you’ll soon discover that the easiest, most efficient trajectories to take us from Earth to a place like Mars involve great elliptical arcs around the sun.

From Nautilus

An aptitude for mentally stringing together related items, often cited as a hallmark of human language, may have deep roots in primate evolution, a new study suggests.

From Science News

Sure, they correlate with wealth, he opines, but perhaps aptitude does, as well.

From The Daily Beast

Not quite saying what academic aptitude is, he is sure Harvard should emphasize it to create a “true meritocracy.”

From The Daily Beast

If we just focused on academic aptitude, he suggests, the professors would be well-served.

From The Daily Beast

Worry about academic aptitude, he suggests, and the soul will take care of itself.

From The Daily Beast

Nonetheless, that “inward sweetness” awakened the future preacher to a rather uncommon youthful aptitude for holiness.

From The Daily Beast

Whether this aptitude was combined with the sinuous cunning that is essentially Oriental Nigel did not know.

From Project Gutenberg

She was fascinated by this aptitude, but presently she was still more fascinated by the subtle use that he was making of it.

From Project Gutenberg

Sarah was intelligent and well trained; she inherited all her mother's aptitude for rule and order.

From Project Gutenberg

I know of no other private enterprise that so truly represents the skill, aptitude, and energy of American genius.

From Project Gutenberg

But, on the other hand, it demands aptitude in writing for the orchestra and appropriately solid material.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• competence
• flair
• knack
• proficiency
• savvy