ability

  • 11ability — (n.) late 14c., from O.Fr. ableté expert at handling (something), from L. habilitatem (nom. habilitas) aptitude, noun of quality from habilis easy to manage, handy (see ABLE (Cf. able)). One case where a Latin silent h failed to make a return in… …

    Etymology dictionary

  • 12ability — ► NOUN (pl. abilities) 1) the power or capacity to do something. 2) skill or talent. ORIGIN Latin habilitas, from habilis able …

    English terms dictionary

  • 13ability — [ə bil′ə tē] n. pl. abilities [ME abilite < MFr habilité < L habilitas < habilis: see ABLE] 1. a being able; power to do (something physical or mental) 2. skill, expertness, or talent …

    English World dictionary

  • 14ability — n. 1) to demonstrate, display, exhibit, show ability 2) to appreciate, recognize ability 3) creative; exceptional. great, outstanding, remarkable; innate, natural; latent ability 4) an ounce of ability (he doesn t have an ounce of ability) 5)… …

    Combinatory dictionary

  • 15ability */*/*/ — UK [əˈbɪlətɪ] / US noun Word forms ability : singular ability plural abilities Get it right: ability: When ability means the fact of being able to do something , it is followed by an infinitive. It is never used in the pattern the ability of… …

    English dictionary

  • 16ability — a|bil|i|ty W1S1 [əˈbılıti] n plural abilities [Date: 1400 1500; : Old French; Origin: habilité, from Latin habilitas, from habilis; ABLE] 1.) the state of being able to do something ability to do sth ▪ the ability to walk …

    Dictionary of contemporary English

  • 17ability — noun 1 skill/power to do sth ADJECTIVE ▪ exceptional, extraordinary, great, outstanding, remarkable, uncanny ▪ inherent, innate, natural …

    Collocations dictionary

  • 18ability — 01. She has a natural [ability] in sports, and seems to do well in any sport she tries. 02. His [ability] to run 6 miles in 40 minutes is incredible for a man his age. 03. If you are [able] to come to the party, everyone will be really happy to… …

    Grammatical examples in English

  • 19ability — noun plural abilities (C, U) 1 something that you are able to do, especially because you have a particular mental or physical skill: ability to do sth: Our ability to think and speak separates us from other mammals. | have the ability to do sth ( …

    Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • 20ability — a|bil|i|ty [ ə bıləti ] noun count or uncount *** 1. ) something you are capable of doing: ability to do something: Tiredness can seriously impair your ability to drive. a ) skill you have at a particular type of work, educational subject, etc.:… …

    Usage of the words and phrases in modern English