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ability
[ uh-bil-i-tee ]
/ ÉËbÉȘl ÉȘ ti /
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noun, plural a·bil·i·ties.
power or capacity to do or act physically, mentally, legally, morally, financially, etc.
competence in an activity or occupation because of one's skill, training, or other qualification: the ability to sing well.
abilities, talents; special skills or aptitudes: Composing music is beyond his abilities.
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OTHER WORDS FOR ability
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Origin of ability
synonym study for ability
2. Ability, faculty, talent denote qualifications or powers. Ability is a general word for power, native or acquired, enabling one to do things well: a person of great ability; ability in mathematics. Faculty denotes a natural ability for a particular kind of action: a faculty of saying what he means. Talent is often used to mean a native ability or aptitude in a special field: a talent for music or art.
OTHER WORDS FROM ability
sub·a·bil·i·ty, noun, plural sub·a·bil·i·ties.WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH ability
ability , capacityWords nearby ability
Other definitions for ability (2 of 2)
-ability
Origin of -ability
Middle English -abilite, from French -abilitĂ©, from Latin -ÄbilitÄs (inflectional stem -ÄbilitÄt- )
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use ability in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for ability
ability
/ (ÉËbÉȘlÉȘtÉȘ) /
noun plural -ties
possession of the qualities required to do something; necessary skill, competence, or powerthe ability to cope with a problem
considerable proficiency; natural capabilitya man of ability
(plural) special talents
Word Origin for ability
C14: from Old French from Latin habilitÄs aptitude, handiness, from habilis able
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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