usability

noun

us·​abil·​i·​ty ˌyü-zə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

: the quality or state of being usable : ease of use

When netbooks arrived a couple of years ago, they were so tiny, only spider monkeys would find them usable. But as they've inched up in size and usability, their sales have taken off.

—David Pogue

One of the other great problems of computer software is preoccupation with bells and whistles, rather than usability. Even software that began as easily usable can evolve over time into something so burdened with complicated (and trivial) features that it is a challenge to figure out how to do the simplest thing.

—Thomas Sowell

Examples of usability in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The familiar ribbon interface has been updated for faster access and usability. —Stackcommerce Team, PC Magazine, 20 June 2025

The usability of this feature seems heavily dependent on the wireless environment in the players' house, ranging from smooth but grainy to unplayably laggy. —ArsTechnica, 16 June 2025

That includes the wireless format, and the overall usability and robustness of the hardware and software. —Christopher Null, Wired News, 4 June 2025

While major product updates take time, businesses that commit to consistently improving usability show they’re invested in their customers’ success. —Roli Saxena, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for usability

• affability
• audibility
• bistability
• capability
• changeability
• contractility
• credibility
• culpability
• disability
• disutility
• durability
• fallibility