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Ability vs Capability

Definitions​

  • ‘Ability’ (noun) refers to the skill, competence or aptitude to do something.
  • ‘Capability’ (noun) refers to the power or potential to achieve something.

What’s the difference between ‘ability’ and ‘capability’?​

Because they are so similar in form and meaning, ‘ability’ and ‘capability’ are easily confused. There is a very subtle semantic difference between them, though.

  • The word ‘ability’ has more to do with skill or competence, while ‘capability’ has more to do with power or resources.
  • It has been suggested that ‘ability’ is more often used for people while ‘capability’ is more appropriate for machines, objects or organizations, but this is not an absolute rule.

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How they’re used​

Example sentences with ‘ability’

  • She was deemed a writer of great ability.
  • The effect was strongest in people with high cognitive ability.

Example sentences with ‘capability’

  • The device showed great capability for processing complex tasks.
  • Such weapons have the capability to destroy a country.