noun B2 Upper-Intermediate Common

capability

kay-puh-BIHL-ih-tee

Capability (noun) means the power, skill, or resources needed to do something. Example: “The new engine gives the aircraft greater range capability.”

noun

The power, skill, or resources needed to do something.

"The new engine gives the aircraft greater range capability."

"Her leadership capability was obvious from her first week on the job."

How to Use Capability

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishWhat someone or something is able to do.

Common pairings

technical capability build capability have the capability to

Word Forms

capabilities plural

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The new engine gives the aircraft greater range _____.

Etymology

Built in English from "capable" plus the suffix "-ity," which turns adjectives into nouns.

Rhymes for capability

city pity deity unity entity equity nudity oddity enmity uppity vanity cavity

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does “capability” mean?

The word “capability” means the power, skill, or resources needed to do something. In plain terms, what someone or something is able to do.

How do you pronounce “capability”?

“Capability” is pronounced kay-puh-BIHL-ih-tee (/ˌkeɪ.pəˈbɪl.ə.ti/ in IPA).

How do you use “capability” in a sentence?

Here is “capability” used in a sentence: “The new engine gives the aircraft greater range capability.”

What part of speech is “capability”?

“Capability” is a noun.

Is “capability” a common word?

“Capability” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.