ability

noun abil·i·ty \ə-ˈbi-lə-tē\

: the power or skill to do something

plural abil·i·ties

Full Definition of ABILITY

a : the quality or state of being able <ability of soil to hold water>; especially : physical, mental, or legal power to perform

b : competence in doing : skill

: natural aptitude or acquired proficiency <students with different abilities>

See ability defined for English-language learners

See ability defined for kids

Origin of ABILITY

Middle English abilite, from Anglo-French, from Latin habilitat-, habilitas, from habilis apt, skillful — more at able

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to ABILITY

Synonyms: capability, capableness, capacity, competence, competency, faculty

Antonyms: disability, inability, incapability, incapableness, incapacity, incompetence, incompetency, ineptitude, ineptness

Rhymes with ABILITY

agility, anility, civility, debility, docility, ductility, facility, fertility, fragility, futility, gentility, gracility, hostility, humility, lability, mobility, motility, nobility, nubility, scurrility, sectility, servility, stability, sterility, suability, tactility, utility, vagility, virility

ABILITIES Defined for Kids

ability

noun abil·i·ty \ə-ˈbi-lə-tē\

plural abil·i·ties

Definition of ABILITY for Kids

: power to do something <The cleaner has the ability to kill germs.>

: natural talent or acquired skill <great musical ability>

Synonym Discussion of ABILITY

ability and talent mean physical or mental power to do or accomplish something. ability may be used of an inborn power to do something especially well. <Many athletes have the ability to run fast.> talent is used for an unusual ability to create things. <You should develop your talent for writing short stories.>

Learn More About ABILITY

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for "ability"

Spanish Central: Spanish translation of "ability"

Nglish: Translation of "ability" for Spanish speakers

Britannica English: Translation of "ability" for Arabic speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about "ability"

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