a ‧ bil ‧ i ‧ ty S2 W1 /əˈbɪləti, əˈbɪlɪti/ BrE AmE noun ( plural abilities )
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ ability ≠ ↑ inability , ↑ disability ; adjective : ↑ able ≠ ↑ unable , ↑ disabled ; verb : ↑ enable ≠ ↑ disable ; adverb : ↑ ably ]
[ Date: 1400-1500 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: habilité , from Latin habilitas , from habilis ; ⇨ ↑ able ]
1 . [countable] the state of being able to do something
ability to do something
the ability to walk
The health center serves all patients, regardless of their ability to pay.
2 . [uncountable and countable] someone’s level of skill at doing something:
The test measures your mathematical ability.
mixed ability classes
of high/low etc ability
students of average ability
There are musicians of all abilities.
somebody's abilities as something
He showed his abilities as a leader.
3 . to the best of your ability as well as you can:
He completed the job to the best of his ability.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meanings 1 & 2)
■ adjectives
▪ high/low/average ability
a group of low ability pupils
|
Many of these students are of above average ability.
|
Children of high ability demand more absorbing tasks.
▪ great/considerable ability
He was a young man of great ability.
|
These drawings required considerable ability on the part of the artist.
▪ remarkable/outstanding/exceptional ability
a writer of remarkable ability
|
The company aims to select people of outstanding ability.
|
his exceptional ability as a swimmer
▪ mixed ability (=at different levels)
a mixed ability class
▪ uncanny ability (=an unusual ability that is difficult to explain)
He has an uncanny ability for spotting investment opportunities.
▪ natural ability ( also innate ability formal ) (=an ability that you are born with)
He didn't have the natural ability of his brother.
|
Babies have an innate ability to do simple maths.
▪ physical/athletic ability
He has considerable athletic ability.
▪ artistic/creative ability
You do not need to have any artistic ability.
▪ musical ability
Tim showed musical ability at an early age.
▪ acting ability
Her acting abilities were obvious straightaway.
▪ mental ability
The exercises are supposed to help you improve your mental ability.
▪ intellectual/academic ability
No one doubts his intellectual abilities.
|
A degree is evidence of your academic ability in a particular subject area.
▪ verbal/linguistic ability (=language skills)
The test is intended to measure the children's linguistic ability.
▪ mathematical ability
These students have a higher level of mathematical ability.
▪ proven ability (=that you have proved through your achievements)
Companies often value the proven ability and reliability of older employees.
■ verbs
▪ have the ability to do something ( also possess the ability to do something formal )
She has the ability to make people feel relaxed.
▪ show/demonstrate the ability to do something
a chance for candidates to demonstrate their abilities
▪ lack the ability to do something
As a young man, he lacked the ability to say no.
■ phrases
▪ a level of ability/ability level
The children were of the same age and ability level.
▪ a range of ability/ability range
There is a wide range of ability within the class.
|
Disruptive behaviour is more prominent in the lower ability range.
▪ a test of ability/an ability test
Examinations are not always a good test of ability.
|
The class was given a verbal ability test.
▪ an ability group (=a group that students are taught in, based on their level of ability)
Children are divided into different ability groups.