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ability definition

abil·ity (ə bil′ə tē)

noun pl. abilities -·ties

  1. a being able; power to do (something physical or mental)
  2. skill, expertness, or talent

Etymology: ME abilite < MFr habilité < L habilitas < habilis: see able

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

ability Synonyms

ability

n.

  1. Capacity to act

    aptitude, intelligence, innate qualities, capacity, sense, powers, potency, worth, talent, gift, genius, flair, mind for, ingenuity, bent, strength, understanding, faculty, comprehension, knack, makings, brains, head, what it takes*, the stuff*, the right stuff*, hang of*.

    Antonyms inability*, ineptitude*, awkwardness. *

  2. Power that results from capacity

    capability, eligibility, competence, proficiency, adeptness, qualification(s), knowledge, strength, sufficiency, self-sufficiency, efficacy, expertise, tact, finish, technique, craft, skill, artistry, cunning, expertness, skillfulness, aptness, dexterity, facility, finesse, mastery, quickness, cleverness, deftness, handiness, experience, readiness, adroitness, artifice, energy, background, know-how*, savvy*, touch*, the goods*.

    Antonyms ignorance*, incompetence*, inexperience.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

ability Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • demonstrate: To demonstrate the ability to achieve full cost recovery in respect of Client Services.

Adjective modifier

  • proven: Their background and proven teaching ability translated into courses offers an unparalleled standard of training.

Possessives

  • candidate: Applications for this award are very competitive, and are judged on one criterion; the candidate's outstanding academic ability and research potential.

Noun used with modifier

  • off-road: The disadvantage of this choice is the loss of the out and out off-road ability of your bike.
ability usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

ability quotes

Sometimes it seems the onlyaccomplishment my education ever bestowed on me was the ability to think in quotations.

-Drabble, Margaret

You haveto take chances for peace, just as you must take chances in war† The ability to get to the verge without getting into the war is the necessaryart. If you try to run away from it, if you are scared to go to the brink, you are lost.

-Dulles,John Foster

You lost yourability for doing things in childhood† It all beganwithyourinability toputonyoursocksand ended by your inability to live.

-Goncharov, Ivan Alexandrovich

ability quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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"ability." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/ability>

APA Style

ability. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/ability

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