ability

ability

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.