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

Together, the potential departures of two of Kansas City’s most experienced lawmakers — one on his own terms, one forced — could play a role in shaping the city’s future and diminish its ability to secure local priorities at the federal level. —Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 1 Apr. 2026

The internal medicine specialist said that, while health screenings have been the main services offered in the two mobile clinics to date, the plan is to use these resources to research how the ability to visit patients can help close the treatment loop after discharge. —Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026

While many students are comfortable with apps and touchscreens, educators say that does not always translate into the ability to troubleshoot or work independently on traditional computers. —Darlin Tillery, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026

Coherence is the ability of an organization to coordinate its actions under stress. —Big Think, 31 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"