Word

capability

noun C1

UK /ˌkeɪ.pəˈbɪl.ɪ.ti/

US /ˌkeɪ.pəˈbɪl.ə.ti/

Meanings

noun

the ability or power to do something; competence

noun

the capacity or features that make a machine, system, or organization able to perform certain functions

Definition

Capability is the ability or power to do something successfully.

Capability refers to the skills, resources, or capacity needed to achieve a particular task or result. It can describe a person’s competence, a team’s strengths, or what a machine or system is able to do. In professional contexts, it often implies not just potential, but a reliable ability to deliver outcomes.

Examples

Her capability to manage conflicting priorities impressed the entire department.
I questioned my capability to lead the negotiation until I had prepared thoroughly.
Their capability for rapid adaptation kept the project on track despite last-minute changes.
The new software adds capability for real-time collaboration across multiple devices.

Common mistake

Learners often confuse capability with capacity, using capability for physical limits when they mean available space, time, or volume.