# ability

Pronunciation: say "uh-BIL-uh-tee" /əˈbɪl.ə.ti/

## Noun

1. The power or capacity to do something, including the legal standing to act in a matter.
   - Simple: Being able to do something, or being allowed by law to do it.
   - _His ability to stay calm under pressure impressed the whole crew._
   - _The team showed a real ability to adapt as conditions kept changing._
2. A particular skill, talent, or aptitude; a power of the mind, such as reason or memory.
   - Simple: A skill or talent someone has, or a power of the mind like thinking or remembering.
   - _Musical ability often shows up early in childhood._
   - _The role demands strong organizational abilities and a cool head._

## Noun

3. The financial means or resources to meet a cost or undertaking. *(archaic)*
   - Simple: Having enough money to do or pay for something.
4. The quality of being suitable or fit for a particular purpose. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: The quality of being right or fitting for a purpose.

## Origin

First attested in the 1300s, 'ability' comes from Middle English 'abilite' (suitability, aptitude), from Old French 'ableté', from Latin 'habilitas' (aptness, ability), based on 'habilis' (apt, fit, skillful, able); it is equivalent to 'able' plus '-ity'.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/ability (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).