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ability

Pronunciation: /əˈbɪlɪti/
Translate ability | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of ability

noun (plural abilities)

  • 1 [in singular, with infinitive] possession of the means or skill to do something:the manager had lost his ability to motivate the players
  • 2 [mass noun] talent, skill, or proficiency in a particular area:a man of exceptional ability [count noun]:pupils of all abilities

Phrases

to the best of one's ability

as well as one can:Conrad must do his job to the best of his abilities

Origin:

late Middle English: from Old French ablete, from Latin habilitas, from habilis 'able'

ability in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of ability in the US English dictionary

Reference to ability in Language Resources

Nearby words

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