ability

[ uh-bil-i-tee ]

See synonyms for: ability abilities on Thesaurus.com

noun,plural a·bil·i·ties.

power or capacity to do or act physically, mentally, legally, morally, financially, etc.
competence in an activity or occupation because of one's skill, training, or other qualification: the ability to sing well.

abilities, talents; special skills or aptitudes: Composing music is beyond his abilities.

Origin of ability

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English (h)abilite, from Middle French, from Latin habilitās “aptitude,” equivalent to habili(s) “handy” (see able) + -tās -ty²; replacing Middle English ablete, from Old French, from Latin, as above

synonym study For ability

2. 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.

Other words for ability

1	capability; proficiency, expertness, dexterity

See synonyms for ability on Thesaurus.com

Other words from ability

sub·a·bil·i·ty, noun, plural sub·a·bil·i·ties.

Words that may be confused with ability

ability , capacity

Other definitions for -ability (2 of 2)

-ability

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

Origin of -ability

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use ability in a sentence

To judge her acting abilities for yourself, check out her videos on YouTube for “Sex Shooter.”
Speed Read: The Juiciest Bits From the History of ‘Purple Rain’ | Jennie Yabroff | January 1, 2015 | THE DAILY BEAST
I have learned a lot about productions and the abilities I have in this realm.
Porn Stars on the Year in Porn: Drone Erotica, Belle Knox, and Wild Sex | Aurora Snow | December 27, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Again, an actress whose abilities are unquestionable, but she's not exactly British.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days | David Freeman | December 13, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
They are not locked into the whims of those more powerful, because their knowledge and abilities open doors.
Promoting Girls’ Education Isn’t Enough: Malala Can Do More | Paula Kweskin | December 9, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Officially, the White House had nothing but plaudits for Hagel and his abilities running the enormous Defense Department.
Hagel Takes a Bullet for Obama: Inside the Defense Secretary’s Sudden Firing | Shane Harris, Tim Mak | November 24, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST

The great abilities which enable a man to win and hold such a position as his fired my fancy.
Fifty Years of Railway Life in England, Scotland and Ireland | Joseph Tatlow
Clearly his business abilities were great; his reforms were bold and drastic, and success attended his efforts.
Fifty Years of Railway Life in England, Scotland and Ireland | Joseph Tatlow
Mr. Addison, whose abilities no man can doubt, was from diffidence totally unable to speak in the house.
The Book of Anecdotes and Budget of Fun; | Various
John Dickinson saw the matter in the same light, a light which his superior abilities enabled him to portray in more lurid colors.
The Eve of the Revolution | Carl Becker
Mr. Alsop was thought to be of good heart, but unequal, as Mr. Scott affirmed, "to the trust in point of abilities."
The Eve of the Revolution | Carl Becker

British Dictionary definitions for ability

ability

/ (əˈbɪlɪtɪ) /

nounplural -ties

possession of the qualities required to do something; necessary skill, competence, or power: the ability to cope with a problem
considerable proficiency; natural capability: a man of ability

(plural) special talents

Origin of ability

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Browse