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capability

capability

473 3.6
Ability to do something or develop a skill
  • noun
  • /ˌkeɪpəˈbɪlɪti/
translation icon : capacidad
  • Every student has the capability to learn new languages with enough practice.
  • develop capabilities
  • improve capabilities
  • enhance capabilities

So most phones have the capability of reading and writing to this chip.

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Examples

  • So most phones have the capability of reading and writing to this chip.

  • Microsoft announced their quantum computing capability, which is just next level.

  • All of you have the capability of having faith.

  • So we have the capability to do a two stage transfer.

  • And we have got the capability to turn that down.

  • Why is this capability so important for Japan?

  • There are five countries now that have capability and soon they'll have more.

  • We're placed here with certain talents and capabilities, and it's up to us to use those talents as best we can.

  • Afghans are fighters and bring significant spirit and capability to the security forces.

    Academic text (2011)
  • These people have unique capabilities they've harnessed.

Synonyms

skill
vscapability
1.0

Ability to do something well because of practice or training

is broader by including untaught ability and possibility as well as trained ability
potential
vscapability
638 3.2

The ability to develop or succeed in the future

is broader by also covering present ability not only future possibility
capacity
vscapability
227 3.5

The ability to do, feel, or understand something

includes both present ability and chance to develop further
competence
vscapability
69 4.1

Ability to do a task well because of skill and knowledge

covers general ability but also emphasizes possible future development
aptitude
vscapability
42 4.2

A natural talent for learning or doing something well

includes broader ability and also the possibility to develop with practice
competency
vscapability
39 4.1

The skills and knowledge needed to do something well

focuses more on present performance rather than long term possibility
facility
vscapability
25 4.2

An ability to do something easily and well

emphasizes general ability or possibility rather than ease of doing tasks
potentiality
vscapability
4 7.2

A natural ability to develop or become real in the future

is used for future development while the main term includes present ability
capableness
vscapability
6.3

The ability to do work and handle tasks well

emphasizes the possibility to develop ability over time
ableness
vscapability
6.7

The quality of having the skill or power to do something

also highlights future possibility to grow ability further

Antonyms

177 2.8

Not able to do something you need to do

Compounds

How strong a country's armed forces are, shown by soldiers, weapons, and readiness

operating capability
  • Specialized
1 5.3

The ability of a machine or system to work as it should

4.2

How well a machine or device works

tankbuster capability
  • Specialized
8.0

To destroy tanks with weapons or vehicles

How Capable

mastery
37 4.2
expertise
302 4.9
proficiency
30 4.7
capability
473 3.6
competence
69 4.1
ability
1.0
potential
638 3.2

Surface Forms

capability singular
capabilities plural

Morphology

capability = capable (transparent) = capable + ity

Formed by regular derivation from the adjective 'capable' with the nominalizing suffix '-ity', yielding the meaning 'the state or quality of being capable'.

Etymology

Capability comes from the same root as capacity, which originally meant 'room to hold'. Think of a container: its capacity is how much it can hold, and capability is the power or room you have to do something.