ability

ability — noun

1. the fact that someone or something can perform a task — having the body, mind, k

1.nounB1
Definition

the fact that someone or something can perform a task — having the body, mind, knowledge, or resources that the task requires.

Example

Una has the ability to swim across the lake without stopping.

ability + to-infinitive shows what someone can do

The fire chief praised the dog's ability to find missing children in the snow.

the X's ability to do Y

Common collocations
  • lose the ability to
  • regain the ability to
  • have the ability to
  • the ability to walk / read / drive
Synonyms
  • capacity

    more formal; often used for groups, machines, or limits.

  • capability

    stresses what something is built or trained to do.

  • power

    stronger; suggests authority or force, not just possibility.

Antonyms
  • inability

    direct opposite; 'his inability to swim'.

Grammar Patterns

ability + to-infinitive

the ability to do something

Usage Note

Almost always followed by 'to' + verb when naming the action. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense answers 'can X do Y?' (yes or no), while sense 2 answers 'how good is X at it?'.

Common Mistakes

She has the ability of swimming.
She has the ability to swim.
use 'to' + verb, not 'of' + -ing.
He has ability to drive a truck.
He has the ability to drive a truck.
when followed by a to-infinitive, normally use 'the ability'.

2. how good a person is at something — the level of skill, talent, or intelligence

2.nounB1
Definition

how good a person is at something — the level of skill, talent, or intelligence they show, especially when compared with others.

Example

Mr. Chen groups the children by reading ability before each lesson.

by + ability (level)

The new coach was impressed by Wairimu's ability on the basketball court.

ability + in / on / at + area

Common collocations
  • mixed ability
  • high / low ability
  • natural ability
  • musical / athletic / artistic ability
  • of all abilities
Synonyms
  • talent

    natural skill, often something a person was born with.

  • skill

    usually learned through practice rather than inborn.

  • aptitude

    formal; a natural gift for learning a particular subject.

Grammar Patterns

of high / great / mixed ability

abilities in [field]

Usage Note

Often appears in fixed phrases describing groups: 'mixed ability', 'high ability', 'of all abilities'. Plural 'abilities' is common when listing more than one skill area. Distinguish from sense 1 (guide word POWER TO DO): sense 1 asks whether the action is possible at all; this sense rates how well it is done.

Common Mistakes

She has a good ability in math.
She has good ability in math.' or 'She is good at math.
drop 'a' when describing a level of skill.
a student of strong ability
a student of high ability
use 'high / great / mixed ability', not 'strong'.
Idioms

to the best of one's ability

idiom

as well as someone is able to do it, even if the result is not perfect.

The young lawyer promised to defend her client to the best of her ability.

Just answer the questions to the best of your ability and try not to worry.

ability — suffix

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All five words describe what a person or thing can do, but they differ in scope and feel. 'Ability' is the everyday choice and works for both physical and mental tasks: 'her ability to drive at night'. 'Capacity' is more formal and often points to a maximum or a built-in limit, including for groups, buildings, or machines: 'the stadium's capacity to hold 50,000 fans'. 'Capability' suggests something has been designed, trained, or developed for a purpose: 'the army's capability to respond within hours'. 'Talent' implies a natural gift a person was born with, especially in art, sport, or music: 'a young pianist with real talent'. 'Skill' is usually built up through practice and study: 'Uri's knife skills come from years in the kitchen'. So you might say a child has a natural talent for drawing, develops the skill with practice, shows great ability at competitions, and one day works for a studio whose capacity is limited but whose capability is world-class.

ability ↗capacity ↗capability ↗talent ↗skill ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • reading ability
  • language ability
  • leadership ability
  • problem-solving ability

Adverbs

Phrases

Prepositions

  • in (a field)
  • at (a task)
  • of (a person)
  • to (do something)

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchMiddle EnglishEnglish

Borrowed into Middle English in the late 1300s as 'abilite', from Old French 'ableté' meaning 'skill' or 'fitness'. The French word came from Latin 'habilitatem' (the noun form of 'habilis', meaning 'easy to handle' or 'suitable'), which itself was built on 'habere', 'to have or hold'. The original idea was that having the right grip or fit on a tool or task is what makes someone able to do it. Over time the spelling shifted to 'ability' and the meaning broadened from physical fitness to any kind of mental or practical competence.