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View synonyms for

ability

1

[ uh-bil-i-tee ]

noun

plural abilities.
  1. power or capacity to do or act physically, mentally, legally, morally, financially, etc.

    Synonyms: , , ,

  2. competence in an activity or occupation because of one's skill, training, or other qualification:

    the ability to sing well.

  3. abilities, talents; special skills or aptitudes:

    Composing music is beyond his abilities.



-ability

2
  1. a combination of -able and -ity, found on nouns corresponding to adjectives ending in -able:

    capability.

ability

/ əˈɪɪɪ /

noun

  1. possession of the qualities required to do something; necessary skill, competence, or power

    the ability to cope with a problem

  2. considerable proficiency; natural capability

    a man of ability

  3. plural special talents
“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
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Other Word Forms

  • ܲa·i·ٲ noun plural subabilities
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Word History and Origins

Origin of ability1

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English (h)abilite, from Middle French, from Latin 󲹲 “aptitude,” equivalent to habili(s) “handy” ( able ) + - -ty 2; replacing Middle English ablete, from Old French, from Latin, as above

Origin of ability2

Middle English -abilite, from French -é, from Latin - (inflectional stem -- )
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Word History and Origins

Origin of ability1

C14: from Old French from Latin 󲹲 aptitude, handiness, from habilis able
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Compare Meanings

How does ability compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

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Synonym Study

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.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

“Losing this vital source of information will ultimately harm our nation’s ability to address the impacts of climate change.”

From

Iraq depends on Turkey for trade, investment and water security, while its fractured internal politics have further undermined the government's ability to take a strong stance.

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Maybe a museum retrospective offers just that, and the ability to pose these ideas.

From

However, a new formal process - which will involve a match observation by an FA official - will give the body the ability to remove or refuse a player's permission to play in the women's game.

From

Those early records showcased an ability to move between sharp satire, tender vulnerability and the experiences of Northern Ireland's "ceasefire babies" - the generation born around the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.

From

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AbileneAbimelech