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(3.56 / 9 votes)Rate this definition:

1. ability(Noun)

   The quality or state of being able.

2. ability(Noun)

   A skill or competence in doing.

3. ability(Noun)

   A high level of skill or competence.

4. ability(Noun)

   Physical, mental or legal power to perform.

5. ability(Noun)

   Aptitude.

Origin: * 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 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. Cresent Hardy:

   He thinks he has the ability.

2. Crystal Denn:

   I almost lost my ability to stand.

3. Buckminster Fuller:

   Our power is in our ability to decide.

4. Napoleon I:

   Ability is nothing without opportunity.

5. Stephen Covey:

   Accountability breeds response-ability.

Images & Illustrations of ability

Popularity rank by frequency of use