ability

1 of 2

noun

abil·​i·​ty ə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

plural abilities

1

a

: the quality or state of being able

the ability of the soil to hold water

especially : physical, mental, or legal power to do something

a writer's ability to engage the reader's interest

did the work to the best of her ability [=as well as she could]

b

: competence in doing something : skill

artistic abilities

2

: natural aptitude or acquired proficiency

students with different abilities

-ability

2 of 2

noun suffix

variants or less commonly -ibility

: capacity, fitness, or tendency to act or be acted on in a (specified) way

agglutinability

Synonyms

Noun

• capability
• capableness
• capacity
• competence
• competency
• faculty

Examples of ability in a Sentence

Noun

a young woman with many remarkable musical abilities

a young woman of great musical ability

She has shown some ability with foreign languages.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

For Mindful Life founder JG Larochette, two $150,000 grants have meant the ability to expand full-time services from 28 schools in six cities to 50 schools in 13 cities. —Lucy Feldman, TIME, 29 May 2024

Trump has already demonstrated an ability to claim he's been cleared of wrongdoing, regardless of the facts. —Tal Axelrod, ABC News, 29 May 2024

Vehicle speed — When a vehicle’s speed increases, the tire-traction grip and ability to control the vehicle decreases. —Star-Telegram Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 May 2024

The news comes as United has launched a few new promotions for its frequent flier members, including the ability to buy miles with a 100% bonus. —Stella Shon, Travel + Leisure, 28 May 2024

The phone’s release surprised both analysts and the Biden administration, as it was thought that strict export controls would have blocked China’s ability to produce such a chip domestically. —Lionel Lim, Fortune Asia, 28 May 2024

Macron is on a three-day state visit that will test his ability to overcome differences with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and find common ground on issues ranging from military aid to Ukraine and deepening capital markets, to trade with China. —Ania Nussbaum, Fortune Europe, 28 May 2024

Researchers worry that the conflict in Ukraine is inhibiting the eagles’ breeding and, as a result, hurting their ability to survive as a whole. —Aaron Boorstein, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 May 2024

This stone is known for its ability to soothe the spirit and calm the soul, supporting this Fire sign in its attempt to maintain balance amidst its restlessness. —Valerie Mesa, Peoplemag, 27 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English ablete, abilite, habilite "suitability, proficiency, ability," borrowed from Anglo-French abilité, borrowed from Latin habilitāt-, habilitās "aptitude," from habilis "easy to handle, adaptable, fit" + -tāt-, -tās -ty — more at able

Noun suffix

Middle English -ablete, -abilite, -iblete, -ibilite, borrowed from Anglo-French -ableté, -abilité, -ibleté, -ibilité, borrowed from Latin -abilitās, -ibilitās, from -abilis, -ibilis -able + -tās -ty

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing ability

• to the best of her ability

Kids Definition

ability

1 of 2 noun

abil·​i·​ty ə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

plural abilities

1

a

: the quality or state of being able : power to do something

b

: competence in doing : skill

2

: natural or learned skill

-ability

2 of 2 noun suffix

-abil·​i·​ty

variants also -ibility

ə-ˈbil-ət-ē

plural -ties

: ability, fitness, or likeliness to act or be acted on in (such) a way

readability

Etymology

Noun suffix

derived from Latin -abilitas, -ibilitas "-ability"