usability

noun

us·​abil·​i·​ty ˌyü-zə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

: the quality or state of being usable : ease of use

Each feature is designed to enhance reliability, efficiency, and usability, ensuring dependable performance across a variety of scenarios.

—Lauren Carpenter

One of the other great problems of computer software is preoccupation with bells and whistles, rather than usability. Even software that began as easily usable can evolve over time into something so burdened with complicated (and trivial) features that it is a challenge to figure out how to do the simplest thing.

—Thomas Sowell

Examples of usability in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Nonetheless, emotional recognition can be crucial for the safety of users and be a booster for usability of AI. —Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026

The reason is that the 1996 Ferrari 550 Maranello’s arrival was one of the heralds of the Ferrari of today, the one building cars with both world-beating performance and everyday usability. —Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 28 May 2026

Or maybe it just got too absorbed in the whole 'cool, multifunctional space' mentality and overlooked basic usability. —C.c. Weiss may 17, New Atlas, 17 May 2026

Small construction details in the duvet cover can also make a big difference in everyday usability. —Wendy Rose Gould, Martha Stewart, 15 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for usability

• affability
• audibility
• bistability
• capability
• changeability
• contractility
• credibility
• culpability
• disability
• disutility
• durability
• fallibility