abil·i·ty
ə-ˈbi-lə-tē 
plural abilities
1
a
: the quality or state of being able
the ability of the soil to hold water
especially
: physical, mental, or legal power to do something
a writer's ability to engage the reader's interest
did the work to the best of her ability [=as well as she could]
b
: competence in doing something : skill
artistic abilities
c
: a person's status with regard to having a disability
—used especially in legal and official statements
These guidelines not only help make web content accessible to users with sensory, cognitive and mobility disabilities, but ultimately to all users, regardless of ability.—
whitehouse.gov
whitehouse.gov2
: natural aptitude or acquired proficiency
students with different abilities
variants
or less commonly -ibility
: capacity, fitness, or tendency to act or be acted on in a (specified) way
agglutinability
Examples of ability in a Sentence
Noun
a young woman with many remarkable musical abilities
a young woman of great musical ability
She has shown some ability with foreign languages.
Recent Examples on the Web
Scott White, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
But Flying Lotus has a secret weapon in DP Richard Bluck, a blockbuster veteran flexing his widescreen abilities here.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 12 Mar. 2025
Like the Datejust, the DNA of the GMT Master has remained largely unchanged in its 70-year history, further emphasizing The Crown’s ability to create designs that were ahead of their time and that have withstood the test of time.
—Cait Bazemore, Robb Report, 12 Mar. 2025
His ability to create extreme, exaggerated silhouettes that remain surprisingly wearable sets him apart as one of the most exciting new talents in fashion today.
—Rhonda Richford, WWD, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ability
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
With fewer staff to handle the millions of applications submitted each year, students could face longer wait times to receive their aid packages, potentially jeopardizing their ability to enroll in college on time.
—Scott White, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
But Flying Lotus has a secret weapon in DP Richard Bluck, a blockbuster veteran flexing his widescreen abilities here.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 12 Mar. 2025
Like the Datejust, the DNA of the GMT Master has remained largely unchanged in its 70-year history, further emphasizing The Crown’s ability to create designs that were ahead of their time and that have withstood the test of time.
—Cait Bazemore, Robb Report, 12 Mar. 2025
His ability to create extreme, exaggerated silhouettes that remain surprisingly wearable sets him apart as one of the most exciting new talents in fashion today.
—Rhonda Richford, WWD, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ability
Cite this Entry
“Ability.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ability. Accessed 19 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ability
1 of 2 noun
abil·i·ty
ə-ˈbil-ət-ē
plural abilities
1
a
: the quality or state of being able : power to do something
b
: competence in doing : skill
2
: natural or learned skill
-ability
2 of 2 noun suffix
-abil·i·ty
variants
also -ibility
ə-ˈbil-ət-ē
plural -ties
: ability, fitness, or likeliness to act or be acted on in (such) a way
readability
Etymology
Noun suffix
derived from Latin -abilitas, -ibilitas "-ability"
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