aptitude

play

noun ap·ti·tude \ˈap-tə-ˌtüd, -ˌtyüd\

Definition of aptitude

1a : inclination, tendency an aptitude for hard workb : a natural ability : talent an aptitude for gymnastics
2 : capacity for learning an aptitude for languages
3 : general suitability : aptness

aptitudinal

play \ˌap-tə-ˈtü-d^ən-əl, -ˈtyü-\ adjective

aptitudinally

adverb

See aptitude defined for English-language learners

See aptitude defined for kids

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 of aptitude from the Web

Biles returned home with a note suggesting she be enrolled into a class such was her natural aptitude for the sport.

— chris murphy, CNN, "Simone Biles: Body image issue was biggest personal challenge", 3 July 2017
Sure, a few eventually go on to approximate the always-showy butterfly stroke or execute a swannish dive, but most Americans are stuck with the aquatic aptitude of a grade schooler.

— WSJ, "5 Summer Water Sports You Can Master the Easy Way", 29 June 2017
McClure looks at Nola and Eickhoff and sees two pitchers who, with good command, know how to pitch and have the aptitude to live on the edges without an overpowering arsenal.

— matt gelb, Philly.com, "Phillies see 'good base' for rotation despite uneven results", 29 June 2017
The skills McLemore has shown in spots (a smooth jumper, some capacity to knife through traffic, flashes of defensive aptitude) are still more promising than his limitations are concerning.

— rob mahoney, SI.com, "NBA Free Agency 2017: Top 50 Players Available", 26 June 2017
Of course all our kids have a professional aptitude for sport.

— k.c. johnson, chicagotribune.com, "Competitive family cultivated Lauri Markkanen's obsession with basketball", 24 June 2017
Hard-drink hotspots around town, including Juniper, The Mode Lounge and The Modern Hotel and Bar, now employ bartenders who exhibit culinary aptitude.

— james patrick kelly, idahostatesman, "Cocktails in Boise enter the culinary realm", 15 June 2017
More than two weeks later, Yost was still thinking about the at-bat — the combination of skill and aptitude, the ability to cover both sides of the plate, the perfect distillation of a breakout rookie season.

— rustin dodd, kansascity, "For Royals outfielder Jorge Bonifacio, rookie season has been powerful", 10 June 2017
Anderson’s aptitude for assisting civilians in distress was on further display as the department honored him for performing CPR twice during a single shift Feb. 10.

— amelia cheatham, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Orlando police honor officers, members of the public at quarterly awards ceremony", 7 June 2017

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.

Origin and Etymology of aptitude

Middle English, from Medieval Latin aptitudo, from Late Latin, fitness, from Latin aptus —see ¹apt

NEW!

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

Synonym Discussion of 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