ability
ability
Pronunciation
ability: /əˈbɪlɪti/
a /ə/ (schwa sound)
bil /bɪl/ (as in "bill")
i /ɪ/ (as in "it")
ty /ti/ (as in "tee")
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: ability
Plural Noun: abilities
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: The possession of the means or skill to do something; a natural or acquired capacity to perform.
Synonyms: capability, capacity, aptitude, talent, skill, faculty, proficiency, competence
Antonyms: inability, incompetence, incapacity, disability, helplessness
Definition 2: A particular talent, skill, or proficiency that someone has developed or is born with.
Synonyms: gift, knack, forte, bent, endowment, predisposition
Antonyms: weakness, deficiency, failing, shortcoming
Examples of Use
Books:
"True change takes place in the imagination, for it is there that we come to terms with the past, visualize the future, and find the courage to take the next step. Without imagination, we lack the ability to envision a better world or to escape the limitations of our current reality." (From The Art of Possibility by Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander, January 2000)
Newspapers:
"The central bank's ability to manage inflation will be crucial in stabilizing the nation's economy over the coming months." (Reported in The Wall Street Journal)
Online Publications:
"Startups are often judged not just on their current products, but on their ability to innovate and adapt quickly to market demands." (From an article on TechCrunch.com)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film Review: "Her raw ability to convey complex emotions made her performance in the historical drama truly unforgettable." (From a film review on Rotten Tomatoes)
Video Game Description: "Mastering this character requires an understanding of their unique ability to manipulate environmental elements." (From a game description on a popular gaming platform)
Song Lyrics: "I lost my ability to speak, when I saw you standing there." (From a popular song, artist and title withheld for brevity)
Podcast Discussion: "We were discussing the human ability to empathize with others, even those from vastly different backgrounds." (From a podcast episode discussing psychology)
General Public Discourse:
"The team's greatest strength is their collective ability to problem-solve under pressure." (Heard in a business meeting)
"I admire her ability to stay positive even in the face of significant challenges." (Conversational use)
10 Quotes Using Ability
"Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it." (Lou Holtz)
"The price of success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand, and the determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand." (Vince Lombardi, often paraphrased to include "ability")
"Faith consists in believing when it is beyond the power of reason to believe." (Voltaire, sometimes paraphrased to refer to the ability to believe)
"If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants." (Isaac Newton, referring to the ability to build upon previous knowledge)
"It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." (J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets)
"The ability to observe without evaluating is the highest form of intelligence." (Jiddu Krishnamurthy)
"Leadership is the ability to guide others without force into a direction or decision that leaves them still feeling empowered and accomplished." (Lisa Cash Hanson)
"Patience, persistence and perspiration make an unbeatable combination for success." (Napoleon Hill, often associated with the ability to endure)
"The measure of intelligence is the ability to change." (Albert Einstein)
"The ability to convert ideas to things is the secret of outward success." (Henry Ward Beecher)
Etymology
The word "ability" has a fascinating journey through language!
At its heart, "ability" comes from the idea of "being able to do something." It can be traced back to the Latin word "habilitās," which meant "aptitude" or "handiness." This, in turn, came from "habilis," meaning "easy to handle," "adaptable," or "fit." You can see the connection there: if something is easy to handle, you have the "ability" to work with it.
From Latin, it moved into Old French as "ableté" (or sometimes "habilité"). This Old French word then made its way into English in the late 14th century, around the 1300s.
When "ability" first appeared in Middle English, it had meanings like "suitability," "aptitude," and "proficiency." Essentially, it referred to the state or condition of being able to do or act, or having the capacity to perform something. Over time, it also came to mean a specific skill or talent a person possesses.
Interestingly, while the English word "able" (as in, "I am able to do it") also comes from the same Latin root "habilis," the noun "ability" didn't directly come from combining "able" with the suffix "-ity." Instead, it was borrowed as a whole word from Old French. There were efforts by scholars in the 16th and 17th centuries to put the silent "h" back into "ability" (to make it "hability," closer to its Latin origin), but thankfully for us, it didn't stick!
Phrases + Idioms Containing Ability
Ability to pay: Refers to the financial capacity of an individual or entity to afford something.
Beyond one's ability: Incapable of doing something; something that is too difficult for someone.
Show one's true ability: To demonstrate one's genuine skill or talent.
Have the ability to do something: To possess the skill, power, or means necessary.
Hone an ability: To refine or improve a skill.
Natural ability: An inherent talent or aptitude.
Test one's abilities: To challenge oneself to see what one is capable of.
Lack the ability: To not possess the necessary skill or capacity.
Power of attorney: (Using a synonym, "power," related to capacity/ability) Legal authorization to act on someone else's behalf.
Force of habit: (Using a synonym, "force," related to influence or capacity) Something done automatically due to routine.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of ability from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
