ability

noun abil·i·ty \ ə-ˈbi-lə-tē \

Updated on: 10 May 2018

Definition of ability

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

See ability defined for English-language learners

See ability defined for kids

Examples of ability in a Sentence

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 of ability from the Web

But Bilal does possess tremendous athletic ability for a big guy.

— colleen kane, chicagotribune.com, "In Bilal Nichols, Bears getting 'explosive individual' for defensive line," 7 May 2018
Inspired by fantasy adventures of the 1980s and 1990s, the film will reportedly focus on a girl with mysterious abilities who finds a place for herself on the streets of the French Quarter after escaping a mental institution.

— mike scott, NOLA.com, "'Bad Moon' rising: 'Stylized fairy tale,' set in N.O., headed to Cannes," 7 May 2018
The clash revealed Chiang's canny ability to grab headlines while in a decidedly low-wattage post.

— melanie mason, latimes.com, "In his bid to be California's next governor, John Chiang touts his battles with a previous one," 7 May 2018
The idea is that increased access to your surgeon — say, ability to him or her after hours with a concern — can help head off any complications.

— macaela mackenzie, Allure, "Study Finds Online Reviews for Plastic Surgeons Might Be Misleading," 7 May 2018
Then there is Adebayo, who has displayed an ability to defend on the perimeter in the pick-and-roll, with lockdown moments during his rookie season against Stephen Curry, LeBron James and Jimmy Butler.

— ira winderman, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Bam Adebayo has a place with the Heat, but not necessarily a position," 6 May 2018
Less obvious, seniors with debt problems could wind up falling victim to predatory financial companies touting debt-management fixes that might not pan out, especially as cognitive abilities decline with age, Lucas said.

— russ wiles, azcentral, "The new normal: Carrying debt at age 75 and up," 6 May 2018
Impressions are made in drills and in ability to quickly pick up the language.

— blair kerkhoff, kansascity, "From troubled past, former K-State wideout Byron Pringle looks for shot with Chiefs | The Kansas City Star," 6 May 2018
While Mahathir has demonstrated an ability to win Malay votes, his diverse coalition has at times struggled to present a cohesive message to voters.

— anisah shukry, Bloomberg.com, "Malaysia's Election May Not Be a Done Deal After All," 6 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ability.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of ability

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

ability Synonyms

-ability

noun suffix

variants: or less commonly -ibility

Definition of -ability

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

agglutinability

Origin and Etymology of -ability

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

ABILITY Defined for English Language Learners

-ability

noun suffix

Definition of -ability for English Language Learners

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

ABILITY Defined for Kids

ability

noun abil·i·ty \ ə-ˈbi-lə-tē \

Definition of ability for Students

plural abilities

1 : power to do something

The cleaner has the ability to kill germs.

2 : natural talent or acquired skill

great musical ability

Synonym Discussion of ability

ability and talent mean physical or mental power to do or accomplish something. ability may be used of an inborn power to do something especially well.