Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

capability

American  
[key-puh-bil-i-tee] / ˌkeɪ pəˈbɪl ɪ ti /

noun

plural

capabilities

  1. the quality of being capable; capacity; ability.

    His capability was unquestionable.

  2. the ability to undergo or be affected by a given treatment or action.

    the capability of glass in resisting heat.

  3. Usually capabilities. qualities, abilities, features, etc., that can be used or developed; potential.

    Though dilapidated, the house has great capabilities.
capability British  
/ ˌkeɪpəˈbɪlɪtɪ /

noun

  1. the quality of being capable; ability

  2. the quality of being susceptible to the use or treatment indicated

    the capability of a metal to be fused

  3. (usually plural) a characteristic that may be developed; potential aptitude

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • overcapability noun
  • supercapability noun

Etymology

Origin of capability

First recorded in 1580–90; from Middle French capabilité, from Late Latin capābili(s) capable + -ty 2

Compare meaning

How does capability compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.