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

This past Tuesday, the upstart alternative investment firm with an aptitude for private credit announced a financing deal for Meta Platforms’

Read more on Barron's

Although he was a staunch conservative from the beginning, Rubio showed early on an aptitude for sensing which way the wind was blowing.

Read more on Salon

Anderson offers an accelerated learning environment to a select few 4- and 5-year-olds, who are admitted because they have shown an early aptitude that impresses an admiring preschool teacher or a district interviewer.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“They have the grit, the grind, and many have the aptitude.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Greaves started playing with her older brother Taylor, who had a dartboard in his bedroom, and quickly showed her aptitude for the game.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• competence 
• flair 
• knack 
• proficiency 
• savvy