Words / B2

kayp-uh-BIL-uh-tee/ˌkeɪpəˈbɪləti/

Capability is the ability or power to do something: the capability to translate speech, military capability. Ability is the everyday cousin, often of people; capacity can mean the same but also “how much it can hold.” Capable of is the adjective pattern. In speech, what it can do or able to is enough. In tech and official English, capability is standard; do not stack it with ability (“capability ability”).

Meaning

The ability or power to do something.

Examples

• “The software has the capability to translate speech.”
• “The software has the capability to subtitle live speech.”
• “We do not yet have the capability to mark every script twice.”

Good to know

What it can do. Adjective: capable of. Everyday: ability / able to. Close: capacity (also “how much it holds”).

Near in meaning

ability

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