ability

¹

[uh-bil-i-tee]

noun

plural

abilities 

1. power or capacity to do or act physically, mentally, legally, morally, financially, etc.

   Synonyms: dexterity, expertness, proficiency, capability

2. competence in an activity or occupation because of one's skill, training, or other qualification.

   the ability to sing well.

3. abilities, talents; special skills or aptitudes.

   Composing music is beyond his abilities.

-ability

²

1. a combination of -able and -ity, found on nouns corresponding to adjectives ending in -able:

   capability.

ability

/ əˈbɪlɪtɪ /

noun

1. possession of the qualities required to do something; necessary skill, competence, or power

   the ability to cope with a problem

2. considerable proficiency; natural capability

   a man of ability

3. (plural) special talents

Other Word Forms

• subability noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of ability¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English (h)abilite, from Middle French, from Latin habilitās “aptitude,” equivalent to habili(s) “handy” ( able ) + -tās -ty ²; replacing Middle English ablete, from Old French, from Latin, as above

Origin of ability²

Middle English -abilite, from French -abilité, from Latin -ābilitās (inflectional stem -ābilitāt- )

Word History and Origins

Origin of ability¹

C14: from Old French from Latin habilitās aptitude, handiness, from habilis _able

Synonym Study

Ability, faculty, talent denote qualifications or powers. Ability is a general word for power, native or acquired, enabling one to do things well: a person of great ability; ability in mathematics. Faculty denotes a natural ability for a particular kind of action: a faculty of saying what he means. Talent is often used to mean a native ability or aptitude in a special field: a talent for music or art.

Example Sentences

They confronted a political system sharply divided along racial lines, and they viewed the right to vote as critical to their ability to protect themselves from racist laws and entrenched racial prejudice.

From Slate

She has not raised prices to fully offset the new expenses, making her concerned about her ability to retain her six employees.

From BBC

Part of the harlequin's success as a species comes from its ability as a predator.

From BBC

Skipper said Neuheisel’s ability to explain why he wanted to run plays in certain situations to counter what the defense was doing led to an offense that rolled up a season-high 435 yards of offense, including a season-high 269 on the ground.

From Los Angeles Times

County’s ability to get mutual aid in the first crucial hours.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• capability 
• capacity 
• competence 
• intelligence 
• qualification 
• skill 
• strength 
• talent 
• understanding