Capabilities
/ˌkeɪpəˈbɪlətiz/
nounB1plural
Definition
Capabilities mean the skills, powers, or qualities that a person, machine, or organization has to do something. It shows what someone or something can do or is able to do. For example, a phone’s capabilities include making calls and taking pictures.
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See It in Action
The abilities or skills that a person or group has
- •Her capabilities as a teacher include patience and clear explanation.
- •The team’s capabilities improved after training.
- •He showed his capabilities by solving difficult problems.
The functions or features that a machine or system can perform
- •This phone has many capabilities, like taking photos and connecting to the internet.
- •The software’s capabilities include editing videos and creating presentations.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "capabilities" like "can do" (A1 phrase) — it means what someone or something can do or is able to do
- ✓Picture a tool box full of different tools; each tool is a capability that helps you fix different things
- ✓It’s the feeling when you know you can do many things, like riding a bike, cooking, or speaking a language
- ✓Sounds like "cap-a-BILL-it-ies" → imagine a strong bill (like a bird’s beak) that can do many things, like cutting or grabbing
- ✓Think of superheroes with different powers—each power is a capability that helps them solve problems
- ✓NOT like "wants" (things you hope to do), capabilities are what you actually can do now
- ✓NOT like "skills" only (skills are learned abilities), capabilities also include natural power or potential
- ✓NOT like "equipment" (tools themselves), capabilities are what tools or people can do with those tools
Try Other Words
- •Abilities: skills or powers someone has (Use when talking about what a person can do)
- •Skills: learned abilities (Use when focusing on what someone has learned to do well)
- •Functions: what a machine or system can do (Use when talking about machines or technology)
- •Powers: strong abilities or control (Use when emphasizing strength or influence)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "cap-" (from Latin "capere," meaning to take or hold) + "ability" (the quality of being able) + plural suffix "-ies"
- •Etymology: From Latin roots meaning "to be able to take or hold," evolving to mean what someone can do
- •Historical development: Entered English in the 1600s to describe ability or skill; plural form used to talk about many abilities
- •Modern usage: Commonly used in business, technology, and personal development to describe what someone or something can do
Reflect & Connect
•How do your personal capabilities help you in daily life or work?
•Can capabilities change over time? What can help improve them?
Fill in the blanks
1.The company improved its capabilities ___ new technology and better training.
2.Her capabilities in speaking English helped her ___ a good job.
3.Unlike simple skills, capabilities include both natural talent and ___ learned through practice.
4.The phone’s capabilities ___ taking photos, sending messages, and browsing the internet.
5.When a person has many capabilities, they usually feel more ___ and confident.
6.Machines with advanced capabilities can often ___ tasks faster than humans.
7.To develop your capabilities, you need both ___ and experience.