Ability
Ability noun - The physical or mental power to do something.
Usage example: as a result of the accident the once-vigorous athlete lost the ability to walk
Capability is a synonym for ability in capacity topic. In some cases you can use "Capability" instead a noun "Ability", when it comes to topics like talent, perform, fitness, potency. popular alternative
Nearby Word: able
Capability
Capability noun - A skill, an ability, or knowledge that makes a person able to do a particular job.
Usage example: the nature of the tasks to which you are assigned will depend on your capabilities
Ability is a synonym for capability in talent topic. You can use "Ability" instead a noun "Capability", if it concerns topics such as capacity, fitness, potency, competence. popular alternative
Mutual synonyms
Related pairs
How words are described
| human | human ability | human capability |
| high | high ability | high capability |
| physical | physical ability | physical capability |
| full | full ability | full capability |
| Other adjectives: better, similar, natural, single, offensive, powerful, actual, real, increased, superior, little, innate, magic, supernatural, new, incredible, amazing, magical, defensive, regenerative. | ||
Both words in one sentence
- As such, two new types of combat drones were designed that could be cheaply produced en masse and have limited tactical capability and the ability to work together.
- Shogun in the same game have similarly impressive Strength, but their ability to Dual Wield reduces their capability of equipping armor and their attack-boosting skill also reduces their defense.
Source: Glass Cannon / Video Games - The enemies with this ability have no healing capability, and unless you're massively underleveled, can't actually kill you.
Cite this Source
Capability and Ability. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 14, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/ability/capability
Ability & Capability. N.p., 2016. Web. 14 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/ability/capability>.
Capability or Ability. 2016. Accessed August 14, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/ability/capability.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "ability" and "capability" have occurred on timeline