ability

noun abil·i·ty \ ə-ˈbi-lə-tē \

|Updated on: 21 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: ability in a Sentence

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

Comparison: Randy Foye Robinson’s perimeter scoring ability and intangibles should help him find an eventual place in someone’s rotation.

— jeremy woo, SI.com, "2018 NBA Draft: Jerome Robinson Scouting Report and Highlights," 18 June 2018
Arizona’s Deandre Ayton is viewed in that vein, a 7-foot center many NBA executives see as the top overall pick because of his immense ability and potential.

— broderick turner, latimes.com, "NBA mock draft 2.0: Deandre Ayton still No. 1, but Luka Doncic slides," 18 June 2018
As mayor and governor, Rendell was famous for his ability to keep a grueling schedule on four hours of sleep a night.

— marie mccullough, Philly.com, "Former Pa. Gov. Ed Rendell announces he has Parkinson's disease," 18 June 2018
The win is not to be underestimated: Mexico, sometimes a World Cup underachiever, has the blend of ability and belief to rise to the top of one of the World Cup’s hardest groups.

— editors, USA TODAY, "Here's the biggest news you missed this weekend," 17 June 2018
In light of Epic’s grand plans, the tournament now feels in retrospect like a crucial way for the developer to test competitive formats and trial its ability to use big names and splashy event-planning to dominate the gaming news cycle.

— nick statt, The Verge, "Fortnite’s celebrity tournament felt like a trial run for Epic’s grand e-sports ambitions," 17 June 2018
Then again, the blasts might disrupt their ability to hunt.

— jason daley, Smithsonian, "Researchers Record the Sounds of the Elusive Narwhal," 15 June 2018
Detailed at Microsoft Build last month, this project builds on Kinect's current abilities and includes integrated computing power and a sensor package with a depth-mapping camera.

— valentina palladino, Ars Technica, "Microsoft tech may help Walmart get rid of cashiers and checkout lines," 14 June 2018
Perhaps Maine Republicans doubt their ability to appeal to a majority of voters, and instead must discourage turnout while pandering to their own base?

— The Economist, "In praise of ranked-choice voting," 14 June 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.