ability

See also: -ability

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

First attested in the 1300s. From Middle English abilite (“suitability, aptitude, ability”), from Old French ableté, from Latin habilitās (“aptness, ability”), from habilis (“apt, fit, skillful, able”); equivalent to able +‎ -ity.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /əˈbɪl.ə.ti/, /əˈbɪl.ɪ.ti/
  • Audio (US):(file)
  • Audio (Canada):(file)
  • Rhymes: -ɪlɪti

Noun

ability (countable and uncountable, plural abilities)

  1. (obsolete) Suitableness. [Attested from around (1350 to 1470) until the late 17th century.][1]
  2. (uncountable) The quality or state of being able; capacity to do or of doing something; having the necessary power. [First attested from around (1350 to 1470).][1]
    This phone has the ability to have its software upgraded wirelessly.
    This wood has the ability to fight off insects, fungus, and mold for a considerable time.
    • 2013 July 19, Peter Wilby, “Finland spreads word on schools”, in The Guardian Weekly, volume 189, number 6, page 30:
      Imagine a country where children do nothing but play until they start compulsory schooling at age seven. Then, without exception, they attend comprehensives until the age of 16. Charging school fees is illegal, and so is sorting pupils into ability groups by streaming or setting.
  3. The legal wherewithal to act. [First attested in the mid 17th century.][1]
    • 2013 June 22, “T time”, in The Economist, volume 407, number 8841, London: The Economist Group, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 68:
      The ability to shift profits to low-tax countries by locating intellectual property in them, which is then licensed to related businesses in high-tax countries, is often assumed to be the preserve of high-tech companies.
  4. (now limited to Scotland dialects) Physical power. [First attested from around (1350 to 1470).][1]
  5. (archaic) Financial ability. [First attested in the early 16th century.][1]
  6. (uncountable) A unique power of the mind; a faculty. [First attested in the late 16th century.][1]
  7. (countable) A skill or competence in doing; mental power; talent; aptitude. [First attested in the early 17th century.][1]
    a mixed-ability class
    They are persons of ability, who will go far in life.
    She has an uncanny ability to defuse conflict.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Derived terms

Translations

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Translations to be checked

Further reading

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Lesley Brown, editor-in-chief, William R. Trumble and Angus Stevenson, editors (2002), “ability”, in The Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles, 5th edition, Oxford; New York, N.Y.: Oxford University Press, →ISBN, page 4.
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