aptitude

noun

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ap·ti·tude | \ ˈap-tə-ˌtüd

, -ˌtyüd \

Definition of aptitude

1a : inclination, tendency an aptitude for hard work

b : a natural ability : talent an aptitude for gymnastics

2 : capacity for learning an aptitude for languages

3 : general suitability : aptness

Other Words from aptitude Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More About aptitude

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Choose the Right Synonym for aptitude

gift, faculty, aptitude, bent, talent, genius, knack mean a special ability for doing something. gift often implies special favor by God or nature. the gift of singing beautifully faculty applies to an innate or less often acquired ability for a particular accomplishment or function. a faculty for remembering names aptitude implies a natural liking for some activity and the likelihood of success in it. a mechanical aptitude bent is nearly equal to aptitude but it stresses inclination perhaps more than specific ability. a family with an artistic bent talent suggests a marked natural ability that needs to be developed. has enough talent to succeed genius suggests impressive inborn creative ability. has no great genius for poetry knack implies a comparatively minor but special ability making for ease and dexterity in performance. the knack of getting along

Examples of aptitude in a Sentence

The new test is supposed to measure the aptitudes of the students. bored teenagers with an aptitude for getting into trouble

Recent Examples on the Web The team’s educational staffers gave Luciano aptitude tests and gauged his maturity. — Connor Letourneau, San Francisco Chronicle, 7 July 2021 Athletes can learn how to create limited liability corporations in the College of Law and take aptitude tests to better understand their strengths as entrepreneurs through the College of Business’s Clifton Strengths Institute. — Laine Higgins, WSJ, 24 June 2021 Ventures that showed Black men could thrive, independently, in sectors that scoffed at their skills, scoffed at their aptitude. — Roy S. Johnson | Rjohnson@al.com, al, 24 June 2021 Jones wasted little time showing his aptitude at the G League Elite Camp. — Shannon Russell, The Courier-Journal, 22 June 2021 Bell believed that others would share her aptitude if properly taught. — New York Times, 6 Apr. 2021 For those of us over 40, who might experience age discrimination, demonstrating top-tier technological aptitude will mitigate doubts that your technical skills aren’t up to date. — Expert Panel®, Forbes, 7 June 2021 Participants also completed two online assessments: one for musical aptitude and the other for musical achievement. — Cindi May, Scientific American, 21 May 2021 The hardness of the shell and the weight of the turtle, along with its shape, and being propelled into the air, would all be factors in being able to strike the windshield with tremendous force and effecting a puncturing aptitude. — Lance Eliot, Forbes, 6 May 2021

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