aptitude

noun

ap·​ti·​tude ˈap-tə-ˌtüd 

-ˌtyüd

1

a

: 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

aptitudinal

ˌap-tə-ˈtü-də-nəl 

-ˈtyü-

adjective

aptitudinally adverb

Synonyms

• inclination
• tendency
• devices
• affinity
• knack
• affection

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

Each drill was designed to test Beringer’s physical makeup and his aptitude for the game. —Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 11 July 2025

The Watch 8 series also offers a 12-minute running test to gauge your current aptitude for the activity from 1 (beginner) to 10 (pro). —PC Magazine, 11 July 2025

There, Jeff’s aptitude for all things science became apparent and his siblings became unwilling participants in his experiments. —Alex Gurley, People.com, 29 June 2025

And while the importance of the visual outcome is obvious — achieving undetectable incisions via adept suturing — the aptitude of the practitioner’s craft determines the effect the patient didn’t think enough about in advance: loss, or not, of feeling. —Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, "tendency, likelihood," borrowed from Medieval Latin aptitūdō, going back to Late Latin, "fitness," from Latin aptus "fastened, prepared, suitable, fitting" + -i- -i- + -tūdō -tude — more at apt entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing aptitude

• aptitude test

Rhymes for aptitude

• altitude
• amplitude
• attitude
• barbecued
• certitude
• desuetude
• devalued
• finitude
• fortitude
• gratitude
• interlude
• interviewed

Kids Definition

aptitude

noun

ap·​ti·​tude ˈap-tə-ˌt(y)üd 

1

: ability to learn : aptness

2

: a natural ability

an aptitude for mathematics

Medical Definition

aptitude

noun

ap·​ti·​tude ˈap-tə-ˌt(y)üd 

: a natural or acquired capacity or ability

especially : a tendency, capacity, or inclination to learn or understand