ability

1 of 2

noun

abil·​i·​ty ə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce ability (audio)
plural abilities
1
a
: the quality or state of being able
the ability of the soil to hold water
especially : physical, mental, or legal power to do something
a writer's ability to engage the reader's interest
did the work to the best of her ability [=as well as she could]
b
: competence in doing something : skill
artistic abilities
c
: a person's status with regard to having a disability
used especially in legal and official statements
These guidelines not only help make web content accessible to users with sensory, cognitive and mobility disabilities, but ultimately to all users, regardless of ability.whitehouse.gov
2
: natural aptitude or acquired proficiency
students with different abilities

-ability

2 of 2

noun suffix

variants or less commonly -ibility
: capacity, fitness, or tendency to act or be acted on in a (specified) way
agglutinability

Examples of ability in a Sentence

Noun a young woman with many remarkable musical abilities a young woman of great musical ability She has shown some ability with foreign languages.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
This increase is attributed to the full integration of Ranco and its ability to acquire inventory and retain new customers. Quartz Bot, Quartz, 15 Nov. 2024 Last year, the U.S. government and the European Commission both published reports on the technology, with the White House proposing a potential research program with one of the objectives being to develop the ability to detect use or experimentation by others. Lara Williams, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024 Specifically, girls may have more neuroplasticity, which is defined as the brain’s ability to recognize new movements and patterns. Discover Magazine, 15 Nov. 2024 Because privacy laws shield the names of firearm purchasers from public view, the data NSSF obtained gave it a unique ability to identify and contact large numbers of gun owners or shooting sports enthusiasts. Corey G. Johnson, ProPublica, 15 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for ability 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English ablete, abilite, habilite "suitability, proficiency, ability," borrowed from Anglo-French abilité, borrowed from Latin habilitāt-, habilitās "aptitude," from habilis "easy to handle, adaptable, fit" + -tāt-, -tās -ty — more at able

Noun suffix

Middle English -ablete, -abilite, -iblete, -ibilite, borrowed from Anglo-French -ableté, -abilité, -ibleté, -ibilité, borrowed from Latin -abilitās, -ibilitās, from -abilis, -ibilis -able + -tās -ty

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of ability was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near ability

Cite this Entry

“Ability.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ability. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

ability

1 of 2 noun
abil·​i·​ty ə-ˈbil-ət-ē How to pronounce ability (audio)
plural abilities
1
a
: the quality or state of being able : power to do something
b
: competence in doing : skill
2
: natural or learned skill

-ability

2 of 2 noun suffix
-abil·​i·​ty
variants also -ibility
ə-ˈbil-ət-ē
plural -ties
: ability, fitness, or likeliness to act or be acted on in (such) a way
readability
Etymology

Noun suffix

derived from Latin -abilitas, -ibilitas "-ability"

More from Merriam-Webster on ability

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