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Meaning & use

ability

noun·Everyday

Last updated

UK/əˈbɪləti/
US/əˈbɪləti/

Meanings

  1. noununcountable

    The power, capacity, or skill needed to do something, whether it is inborn or learned through practice.

    Grammar: Used for a general capacity rather than one named skill: ability to learn, not an ability to learn in this sense.

    Patterns

    • the ability to do something
    • ability in something
    • lack of ability

    Her ability to stay calm under pressure impressed the whole team.

    Practice can improve your ability to remember new vocabulary.

    The job requires physical ability as well as patience.

  2. nouncountable

    A particular skill or talent that a person has, often one of several.

    Grammar: Countable when naming one skill: She has many abilities; singular is an ability, plural is abilities.

    Patterns

    • an ability for something
    • someone's abilities as something
    • develop an ability

    He has a remarkable ability for noticing small details.

    The school aims to develop each child's individual abilities.

    Her abilities as a negotiator were clear during the meeting.

Word forms

pluralabilities

Common combinations

the ability to do something
Good communication depends on the ability to listen as well as speak.
natural ability
She showed natural ability in music from an early age.
mental ability
The test measures mental ability rather than knowledge alone.
physical ability
The course can be adjusted to match each person's physical ability.
lack of ability
His lack of ability in math made him anxious about the exam.

Synonyms and how they differ

skill
Skill usually suggests a learned technique, while ability can be inborn or general.
talent
Talent emphasizes an inborn gift, especially in art, music, or sport; ability is broader.
capability
Capability often refers to what a person, machine, or organization is capable of overall.
capacity
Capacity is more formal and often means potential or room to develop, not a proven skill.

Opposites

inabilityweakness

Word family

able adjective
Having the power, skill, or means to do something.
ably adverb
In a capable or skillful way.
unable adjective
Not able to do something; opposite of able in many contexts.

Commonly confused: ability or capability? ability or disability?

ability vs capability

Capability often suggests potential or overall power, while ability is the actual skill or capacity to do a specific thing.

ability vs disability

A disability is a physical or mental condition that limits activity; it is not simply the opposite of ability in everyday use.

Practice

Choose the best completion: The course is designed to improve students’ ability ___ solve problems independently.

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