# ability

> English word · Noun · IPA /əˈbɪl.ə.ti/ · frequency rank #1,156

## Definitions
1. Suitableness.
2. The quality or state of being able; capacity to do or of doing something; having the necessary power.
3. The legal wherewithal to act.
4. Physical power.
5. Financial ability.
6. A unique power of the mind; a faculty.
7. A skill or competence in doing; mental power; talent; aptitude.

## Etymology
First attested in the 1300s. From Middle English abilite (“suitability, aptitude, ability”), from Old French ableté, from Latin habilitās (“aptness, ability”), from habilis (“apt, fit, skillful, able”); equivalent to able + -ity.

## Easily confused with
- **agility** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ability-vs-agility)
- **acidity** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ability-vs-acidity)

## Common misspellings (10)
`abbility`, `abiilty`, `abilitty`, `abilityy`, `abiliyt`, `abillity`, `abiltiy`, `abliity`, `aiblity`, `baility`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/ability