capability

[key-puh-bil-i-tee]

noun

plural

capabilities 

1. the quality of being capable; capacity; ability.

   His capability was unquestionable.

2. the ability to undergo or be affected by a given treatment or action.

   the capability of glass in resisting heat.

3. Usually capabilities. qualities, abilities, features, etc., that can be used or developed; potential.

   Though dilapidated, the house has great capabilities.

capability

/ ˌkeɪpəˈbɪlɪtɪ /

noun

1. the quality of being capable; ability

2. the quality of being susceptible to the use or treatment indicated

   the capability of a metal to be fused

3. (usually plural) a characteristic that may be developed; potential aptitude

Other Word Forms

• overcapability noun
• supercapability noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of capability¹

First recorded in 1580–90; from Middle French capabilité, from Late Latin capābili(s) capable + -ty ²

Example Sentences

Alphabet Inc. has been investing heavily in Google Gemini’s capabilities this year, and it’s making a major new push to expand beyond its consumer chatbot and into the corporate market.

Read more on MarketWatch

“If it wasn’t for the potential access to knowledge and capabilities to drive our strategy, we could probably go borrow money from our bank or from the capital markets,” he said.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Such vague marketing-speak is still the norm, as we are barely scratching the surface of AI’s capabilities.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Companies like Moderna say they have been reworking teams not just around the capabilities of the people on staff, but also around what can be completed by AI tools.

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After the first Colossus went online last year, Musk quickly put Grok on the map, impressing AI experts with some of the model’s capabilities.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• capacity 
• competence 
• effectiveness 
• efficiency 
• facility 
• means 
• potential 
• power 
• proficiency 
• skill 
• wherewithal