Capability — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˌkā-pə-ˈbi-lə-tē/ ca·pa·bil·i·ty

Meaning & Definition of Capability

Capability (noun)

  1. the quality or state of being capable; also, ability
  2. a feature or faculty capable of development, potentiality
  3. the facility or potential for an indicated use or deployment

Capability (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a skill, an ability, or knowledge that makes a person able to do a particular job

    "the nature of the tasks to which you are assigned will depend on your capabilities"

    similar: credentials, goods, qualification, stuff
    related: command, expertise, know-how, mastership, mastery, proficiency, ability, capacity, competence, competency, facility, faculty, aptitude, endowment, flair, genius, gift, knack, talent, forte, long suit, métier, specialism, speciality, specialty, strong suit, fitness, suitability, suitableness, makings, potentiality

  2. the physical or mental power to do something

    "the natural capability some people seem to have for teaching"

    similar: ability, capableness, capacity, competence, competency, faculty
    related: aptitude, aptness, endowment, equipment, facility, gift, knack, talent, address, adroitness, deftness, dexterity, hand, prowess, skill, gray matter, instinct, intelligence, ken, reason, understanding, might, potency, puissance, staying power, stuff, adequacy, effectiveness, effectualness, fitness, form, influence, resourcefulness, usefulness, means, resources, wherewithal
    opposite: disability, inability, incapability, incapableness, incapacity, incompetence, incompetency, ineptitude, ineptness
    near: helplessness, impotence, paralysis, powerlessness, weakness, defectiveness, deficiency, inadequacy, inadequateness, ineffectiveness, ineffectuality, ineffectualness, inefficaciousness, inefficacy, uselessness, debilitation, disablement, impairment, incapacitation

  3. something that can develop or become actual

    "there are great capabilities in the property, either as a bed-and-breakfast or as a private home"

    similar: eventuality, possibility, potential, potentiality, prospect
    related: likelihood, probability, latency, potency
    near: actuality, reality, certainty

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Capability

The most common words with a similar meaning to Capability:

credentials, goods, qualification, stuff, ability, capableness, capacity, competence, competency, faculty, eventuality, possibility, potential, potentiality, prospect

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Capability

Words with the opposite meaning of Capability:

disability, inability, incapability, incapableness, incapacity, incompetence, incompetency, ineptitude, ineptness

Related Words for Capability

command, expertise, know-how, mastership, mastery, proficiency, facility, aptitude, endowment, flair, genius, gift, knack, talent, forte, long suit, métier, specialism, speciality, specialty, strong suit, fitness, suitability, suitableness, makings, aptness, equipment, address, adroitness, deftness

Near Antonyms of Capability

helplessness, impotence, paralysis, powerlessness, weakness, defectiveness, deficiency, inadequacy, inadequateness, ineffectiveness, ineffectuality, ineffectualness, inefficaciousness, inefficacy, uselessness, debilitation, disablement, impairment, incapacitation, actuality, reality, certainty

Word Forms of Capability

Inflections: capabilities

Origin & Etymology of Capability

First known use: 1587

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Capability

Words & Phrases Containing Capability

nuclear capability

Frequently Asked Questions about Capability

What does "Capability" mean?

"Capability" means the quality or state of being capable; also, ability. As a noun, it is defined as: the quality or state of being capable; also, ability. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Capability"?

Other words for "Capability" include credentials, goods, qualification, stuff, ability, capableness, capacity and competence. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Capability" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Capability"?

There are 72 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Capability". Common alternatives include credentials, goods, qualification, stuff, ability, capableness, capacity, competence, competency and faculty.

What is the opposite of "Capability"?

Antonyms of "Capability" include disability, inability, incapability, incapableness, incapacity, incompetence, incompetency and ineptitude. Near antonyms include helplessness, impotence, paralysis and powerlessness.

How do you use "Capability" in a sentence?

Examples of "Capability" in a sentence: "the nature of the tasks to which you are assigned will depend on your capabilities"; "the natural capability some people seem to have for teaching"; "there are great capabilities in the property, either as a bed-and-breakfast or as a private home".

Is "Capability" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Capability" is a noun.

Is "Capability" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Capability" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Capability"?

"Capability" is pronounced /ˌkā-pə-ˈbi-lə-tē/ and divided into syllables as ca·pa·bil·i·ty.