Another Word for Ability – Meaning, Synonyms, and Examples
Knowing another word for “ability” helps you describe what someone can do. It’s useful when talking about work, study, or personal skills in daily conversations.
Meaning of “Ability”
“Ability” means the power, skill, or knowledge to do something. You can use it to talk about both natural talent and learned skills.
Synonyms for “Ability”
1. Skill – The know-how to do something well.
👉 Common in work and hobbies. You can “learn” or “improve” a skill.
2. Talent – A natural gift or special strength.
👉 Used when someone is naturally good at something, like singing or sports.
3. Capability – The potential or power to do something.
👉 Often used in formal or business English.
4. Competence – Having enough knowledge or ability to do a task well.
👉 Used in professional or academic contexts.
5. Expertise – Deep and advanced knowledge in a specific area.
👉 Used when someone is highly skilled in a field.
Example Sentences
1. She has strong skills in communication.
2. His musical talent showed from a young age.
3. The company has the capability to expand worldwide.
4. Her competence impressed her new boss.
5. We asked for his expertise to solve the problem.
Mini Dialogue
Tom: Did you see Mia’s presentation?
Lisa: Yes! She showed real competence and confidence.
Tom: I agree. Her skills in design are amazing too.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Don’t say: “He has an ability in cooking.”
✅ Say: “He has a talent for cooking.” (We use “talent for” or “skill in,” not “ability in.”)
Let’s Practice!
Which synonym best fits this sentence?
“Maria showed great ______ in handling customer complaints.”
(Answer: competence – because it means doing a task well and professionally.)
Practice Tip
Use one new synonym for “ability” in your next message or conversation today.
Final Note
Now you know another word for “ability”—and several others! Try using them to describe your strengths and skills more clearly in English.
