ability

1 of 2

noun

abil·​i·​ty ə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce ability (audio)
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
c
: a person's status with regard to having a disability
used especially in legal and official statements
These guidelines not only help make web content accessible to users with sensory, cognitive and mobility disabilities, but ultimately to all users, regardless of ability.whitehouse.gov
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The two wanted the Power of Veto winner to use the ability to keep Panaro, but instead, the winner saved themselves. Dina Kaur, AZCentral.com, 4 Sep. 2025 Rohl’s size can mask his obvious technical ability. Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025 Trump maintains the ability to have National Guard troops and federal agencies continue to patrol city streets beyond his federalization of the Metropolitan Police Department. Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 4 Sep. 2025 But lawmakers worry that failing to stop the bleeding now could also affect the city’s ability to host major events. Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 4 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ability

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of ability was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Ability.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ability. Accessed 5 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

ability

1 of 2 noun
abil·​i·​ty ə-ˈbil-ət-ē How to pronounce ability (audio)
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"

More from Merriam-Webster on ability

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