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. Douglas Adams:

   Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so.

2. Ehsan Sehgal:

   Become higher, or lower character figure depends on your behaviour and ability. It does not stay in your rich or powerful status.

3. Malachi Rosen:

   Over time, despite being skeptical at first, I started to realize and notice the benefits, i have been a lot less stressed, my level of anxiety has gone down and my ability to focus becomes easier.

4. Rachel Walton:

   Stephanie Mines is brilliant in her ability to articulate the complexities of shock and trauma, along with the framework for healing that she has developed. This makes her classes deeply gratifying and inspiring. I now have invaluable tools that support me in caring for myself, as well as skills and a new perspective that helps me in my care of others.

5. Linda Ong:

   With their own social media channels, they have the ability to drive and invite conversations rather than be the target of them, branded emojis are a way to build relationships with fans that go beyond the sheer entertainment value of their work.

Images & Illustrations of ability

Popularity rank by frequency of use