Definitions for ability
əˈbɪl ɪ tiabil·i·ty

Princeton's WordNet(3.86 / 13 votes)Rate this definition:

1. ability(noun)

   the quality of being able to perform; a quality that permits or facilitates achievement or accomplishment

2. ability, power(noun)

   possession of the qualities (especially mental qualities) required to do something or get something done

   "danger heightened his powers of discrimination"

Wiktionary(3.60 / 10 votes)Rate this definition:

1. ability(Noun)

   The quality or state of being able.

   Etymology: * First attested from before 1398.

2. ability(Noun)

   A skill or competence in doing.

   Etymology: * First attested from before 1398.

3. ability(Noun)

   A high level of skill or competence.

   Etymology: * First attested from before 1398.

4. ability(Noun)

   Physical, mental or legal power to perform.

   Etymology: * First attested from before 1398.

5. ability(Noun)

   Aptitude.

   Etymology: * First attested from before 1398.

Webster Dictionary(5.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. Ability(noun)

   the quality or state of being able; power to perform, whether physical, moral, intellectual, conventional, or legal; capacity; skill or competence in doing; sufficiency of strength, skill, resources, etc.; -- in the plural, faculty, talent

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary(5.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. Ability

   a-bil′i-ti, n. quality of being able: power: strength: skill.—n.pl. Abil′ities, the powers of the mind. [O. Fr. ableté (Fr. habileté)—L. habilitas—habilis, easily handled, from habēre, to have, hold. See Able.]

Editors Contribution(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. ability

   The feeling, understanding, power and knowing of being able.

   We are all able to do various tasks in life.

   Submitted by MaryC on January 25, 2020  

2. ability

   The quality of being able.

   She was ableto do anything her heart desires.

   Submitted by MaryC on January 15, 2020  

British National Corpus

1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'ability' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #1104

2. Written Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'ability' in Written Corpus Frequency: #1688

3. Nouns Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'ability' in Nouns Frequency: #422

How to pronounce ability?

1. 

   Alex

   US English

   

   Daniel

   British

   

   Karen

   Australian

   

   Veena

   Indian

How to say ability in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of ability in Chaldean Numerology is: 4

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of ability in Pythagorean Numerology is: 6

Examples of ability in a Sentence

1. Representative Mark Meadows:

   Every member of Congress should have the ability to have their voice and their vote heard without fear of retribution if indeed they are representing the people back home.

2. Kyle Ewing:

   We look at general cognitive ability, how do you unpack and tackle these large problems that exist and distill them down to something you can take hold of ?

3. Hedy Weinberg:

   Banning certain abortions will not provide a real solution to gender or racial discrimination and does nothing to address their root causes, we will continue to fight for people's ability to make their own decisions about pregnancy without political interference.

4. Representative Ed Royce:

   If this agreement goes through, Iran gets a cash bonanza, a boost to its international standing, and a lighted path toward nuclear weapons, with sweeping sanctions relief, we have lessened our ability to challenge Iran's conduct across the board. As Iran grows stronger, we will be weaker to respond.

5. Mohamed El-Erian:

   I am not a buyer...that this is a crash. I think China has the ability to control a soft landing, but China is no longer a locomotive of global growth, and that has implications for companies and it has implications for commodities markets.

Images & Illustrations of ability

Popularity rank by frequency of use