aptitude

[ap-ti-tood, -tyood]

noun

1. capability; ability; innate or acquired capacity for something; talent.

   She has a special aptitude for mathematics.

   Synonyms: bent, propensity, proclivity, predisposition, faculty, gift

2. readiness or quickness in learning; intelligence.

   He was placed in honors classes because of his general aptitude.

   Synonyms: acumen

3. the state or quality of being apt; special fitness.

aptitude

/ ˈæptɪˌtjuːd /

noun

1. inherent or acquired ability

2. ease in learning or understanding; intelligence

3. the condition or quality of being apt

Other Word Forms

• aptitudinal adjective
• aptitudinally adverb
• preaptitude noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of aptitude¹

First recorded in 1400–50; from Late Latin aptitūdō; apt, -i-, -tude

Word History and Origins

Origin of aptitude¹

C15: via Old French from Late Latin aptitūdō, from Latin aptus _apt

Example Sentences

He resigned as president after a faculty no-confidence vote following his delivery of a speech suggesting the paucity of women in science and engineering might be connected to differences in their aptitude for the subjects.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In 2005, as president, Summers delivered a speech suggesting the paucity of women in science and engineering might be connected to a difference in the distribution of aptitude.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The old have a clearer view of the inevitability of destruction and a willingness—though no real aptitude—to contemplate what might succeed it.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

BERLIN—Germany will build a database of young people detailing their fitness, aptitude and outlook to help it pick whom to draft should the country be attacked.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

There are jump cuts too, and interludes of his actors in close-up that could be color screen tests or just a nod to Hujar’s aptitude for portraits.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• competence 
• flair 
• knack 
• proficiency 
• savvy