ability

[ uh-bil-i-tee ]
/ əˈbɪl ɪ ti /

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

1350–1400; Middle English ( h)abilite < Middle French < Latin habilitās aptitude, equivalent to habili(s) handy (see able) + -tās -ty2; replacing Middle English ablete < Old French < 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 FROM ability

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

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH ability

ability capacity

Definition for ability (2 of 2)

-ability

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

Origin of -ability

Middle English -abilite ≪ Latin -ābilitās

Example sentences from the Web for ability

British Dictionary definitions for ability

ability
/ (əˈbɪlɪtɪ) /

noun plural -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

Word Origin for ability

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