English Explanatory Dictionary

ability

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. Suitableness.
  2. The quality or state of being able; capacity to do or of doing something; having the necessary power.
  3. The legal wherewithal to act.
  4. Physical power.
  5. Financial ability.
  6. A unique power of the mind; a faculty.
  7. A skill or competence in doing; mental power; talent; aptitude.

Pronunciation

/əˈbɪl.ə.ti/ /əˈbɪl.ɪ.ti/ en-us-ability.ogg en-ca-ability.ogg

Word forms

ability abilities abilitie hability habilitie

Etymology

First attested in the 1300s. From Middle English abilite (“suitability, aptitude, ability”), from Old French ableté, from Latin habilitās (“aptness, ability”), from habilis (“apt, fit, skillful, able”); equivalent to able + -ity.

Synonyms

capacity faculty capability talent cleverness dexterity aptitude aptness skill

Antonyms

inability unability disability

Related words

able

Derived words

ability grouping ability point ability to pay diffability entransy Motability nonability notability subability superability transability
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