-ability

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See also: ability

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From Middle English -ablete, -iblete, -abilite, -ibilite, from Middle French -ableté, -ibleté, -abilité, -ibilité, from Latin -abilitas, -ibilitas, from -abilis (able) or -ibilis (able) + -tas. Equivalent to -able + -ity.

Pronunciation

  • Lua error in Module:parameters at line 290: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "US" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /əˈbɪl.ə.ti/

Suffix

-ability

  1. Forms a noun from a verb; ability, inclination or suitability for a specified function or condition.

Usage notes

  • Most words ending in "ability" formed in English are first attested after corresponding words ending in -able.
  • Note that this is not simply -able + -ity: in English it is a parallel formation, not a compound suffix: there is a sound and spelling change. Compare -ably (compound suffix) and -ification (parallel suffix).
  • Some words ending in -ability are alterations of words of French origin ending in -abilité or Latin words ending in -abilitās.

Derived terms

Translations