abil·i·ty
ə-ˈbi-lə-tē 
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
c
: a person's status with regard to having a disability
—used especially in legal and official statements
These guidelines not only help make web content accessible to users with sensory, cognitive and mobility disabilities, but ultimately to all users, regardless of ability.—
whitehouse.gov
whitehouse.gov2
: natural aptitude or acquired proficiency
students with different abilities
variants
or less commonly -ibility
: capacity, fitness, or tendency to act or be acted on in a (specified) way
agglutinability
Examples of ability in a Sentence
Noun
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 on the Web
Rustin Dodd, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
As a direct result of this, businesses end up with managers who aren’t confident in their ability to lead, and who struggle to deal with the various challenges that come with managing people, leading both employees and struggling managers to resign.
—Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2025
Andrew Smith, a professor of political science at the University of New Hampshire, told Newsweek that Sununu will start out as the strongest GOP candidate because of his name recognition and fundraising ability.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
His ability to transcend generations with his timeless songs resonates with a diverse demographic, welcoming both long-time fans and newcomers.
—Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ability
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
Cangialosi compared his ability to see the whole field with that of former NFL coach John Madden, another broadcaster with a deep fear of flying.
—Rustin Dodd, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
As a direct result of this, businesses end up with managers who aren’t confident in their ability to lead, and who struggle to deal with the various challenges that come with managing people, leading both employees and struggling managers to resign.
—Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2025
Andrew Smith, a professor of political science at the University of New Hampshire, told Newsweek that Sununu will start out as the strongest GOP candidate because of his name recognition and fundraising ability.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
His ability to transcend generations with his timeless songs resonates with a diverse demographic, welcoming both long-time fans and newcomers.
—Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ability
Cite this Entry
“Ability.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ability. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ability
1 of 2 noun
abil·i·ty
ə-ˈbil-ət-ē
plural abilities
1
a
: the quality or state of being able : power to do something
b
: competence in doing : skill
2
: natural or learned skill
-ability
2 of 2 noun suffix
-abil·i·ty
variants
also -ibility
ə-ˈbil-ət-ē
plural -ties
: ability, fitness, or likeliness to act or be acted on in (such) a way
readability
Etymology
Noun suffix
derived from Latin -abilitas, -ibilitas "-ability"
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