Synonyms for ability
Most common
All synonyms
Noun
1. Capability — the quality or state of being able; capacity to do or of doing something; having the necessary power
capability, strength, capacity, talent, competence, aptitude, dexterity, proficiency, cleverness, quickness, gift, craft, mastery, facility, might, knack, faculty, competency, efficiency, readiness, touch, ingenuity
Other
skill, power, skillfulness rare US, skilfulness UK
Definitions
- n. 1
The quality or state of being able; capacity to do or of doing something; having the necessary power.
This phone has the ability to have its software upgraded wirelessly.
Forms
- Plural
- abilities → capabilities, strengths, capacities, talents…
Choose the right word
Faculty is an inherent quality of mind or body; talent, some special mental ability.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- strength I have underestimated the strength of my opponent.
- capacity Mr Brown was acting in the capacity of ambassador.
- talent His success is not so much by talent as by effort.
- capability No one knows Morocco's true combat capability.
- power This machine consumes 10% of all the power we use.
- skill Has Tom started learning a new skill for survival?
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| ability | rising | |
| strength | steady | |
| capacity | falling | |
| talent | rising | |
| capability | falling | |
| power | steady |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 4 letters
- gift1
- 5 letters
- might1, power2, touch1, skill1, craft1, knack1
- 6 letters
- talent2
- 7 letters
- faculty3, mastery3
- 8 letters
- strength1, capacity4, facility4, aptitude3
- 9 letters
- readiness3, ingenuity5, dexterity4, quickness2
- 10 letters
- efficiency4, capability5, competence3, competency4, cleverness3
- 11 letters
- proficiency4, skilfulness
- 12 letters
- skillfulness
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (power2 = 2 syllables).