Ability: meaning, definitions and examples

General term referring to someone's power or capacity to do something.

• She has the ability to solve complex problems
• His musical ability is impressive

Emphasizes the potential or power to perform an action, often used in technical or professional contexts.

• The new software's capability to process data is remarkable
• This team has the capability to achieve great results

Refers to having the necessary skills and knowledge to perform a task successfully, often used in professional or job performance assessments.

• Her competence in managing projects is well-known
• The doctor's competence reassured the patients

Natural talent or knack for something, often used in educational or professional settings.

• He has a high aptitude for mathematics
• Her aptitude for languages amazed her teachers

Focuses on a specific learned ability or proficiency, often developed through practice and training.

• His cooking skills are outstanding
• The job requires strong analytical skills

Used to describe the general power or skill to do something.

• She has the ability to solve complex problems.
• His ability to stay calm under pressure is impressive.

Used to describe a natural skill or aptitude, similar to 'gift,' but can also be developed over time through practice.

• She has a talent for painting.
• His talent for mathematics earned him a scholarship.

Often used in a more positive sense to describe someone's natural aptitude or talent. It implies an innate quality.

• She has a gift for playing the piano.
• His gift for storytelling captivated the audience.

Refers to a specific skill or a clever way of doing something, often with minimal effort and sometimes implying a certain ease or intuition.

• He has a knack for making people laugh.
• She has a knack for finding the perfect gifts.

Describes a high level of competence or skill in a specific area, often after significant training or practice.

• Her proficiency in multiple languages is impressive.
• He demonstrated great proficiency in coding during the interview.

General term for someone's capability to do something. Can be used in varied contexts, both physical and mental.

• She has the ability to solve complex math problems
• His singing ability is exceptional

Often used to describe maximum potential or volume. It also refers to mental or physical limits.

• The stadium has a seating capacity of 50,000
• His capacity to learn new languages is astonishing

Usually refers to an inherent mental or physical power. In academic contexts, it can mean a teaching body at a university.

• He lost his faculty of speech after the accident
• The university faculty will meet to discuss the new curriculum

Usually refers to an expertise honed through practice and experience in a specific area. Often used in the context of learned or acquired abilities.

• She has excellent carpentry skills
• You need to develop your culinary skills if you want to become a chef

Refers to proficiency or adequacy in a specific task or field. Often used in professional or technical settings.

• Her competence in coding makes her an asset to the team
• We need to assess the competence of the new employees