ability

1 of 2

noun

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

2

: natural aptitude or acquired proficiency

students with different abilities

-ability

2 of 2

noun suffix

variants or less commonly -ibility

: capacity, fitness, or tendency to act or be acted on in a (specified) way

flammability

Synonyms of ability

Noun

• capability
• capacity
• faculty
• skill
• talent
• aptitude

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

Noun

At the top of the list of must-haves for a home office, the ability to carve out a space that supports both work output and mental clarity is key. —Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Mar. 2026

The neighborhood/area While cultural and culinary excursions to nearby towns are offered through the hotel, Río Perdido’s main appeal is its ability to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Mar. 2026

That ability is especially important against mobile missile launchers and air defense units that frequently relocate. —Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 4 Mar. 2026

Fink — and his ability to get Trump over to the Swiss Alps this year — put the gathering squarely back on the map. —semafor.com, 3 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

Noun suffix

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

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for ability

• ability
• agility
• civility
• debility
• docility
• ductility
• facility
• acceptability
• accessibility
• adaptability
• admissibility
• advisability

Kids 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"