aptitude

noun

ap·​ti·​tude ˈap-tə-ˌtüd How to pronounce aptitude (audio)
-ˌtyüd
Synonyms of aptitudenext
1
a
: inclination, tendency
an aptitude for hard work
b
: a natural ability : talent
an aptitude for gymnastics
2
: capacity for learning
an aptitude for languages
3
: general suitability : aptness
aptitudinal
ˌap-tə-ˈtü-də-nəl How to pronounce aptitude (audio)
-ˈtyü-
adjective
aptitudinally adverb

Synonyms

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 
Choose the Right Synonym for aptitude

gift, faculty, aptitude, bent, talent, genius, knack mean a special ability for doing something.

gift often implies special favor by God or nature.

the gift of singing beautifully

faculty applies to an innate or less often acquired ability for a particular accomplishment or function.

a faculty for remembering names

aptitude implies a natural liking for some activity and the likelihood of success in it.

a mechanical aptitude

bent is nearly equal to aptitude but it stresses inclination perhaps more than specific ability.

a family with an artistic bent

talent suggests a marked natural ability that needs to be developed.

has enough talent to succeed

genius suggests impressive inborn creative ability.

has no great genius for poetry

knack implies a comparatively minor but special ability making for ease and dexterity in performance.

the knack of getting along

Examples of aptitude in a Sentence

The new test is supposed to measure the aptitudes of the students. bored teenagers with an aptitude for getting into trouble
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Trump has never shown much of an aptitude for the nuances of crypto, but he’s welcomed the industry’s financial support. —Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2024 Paul Rudd was a wonderful choice for Ben Glenroy, a movie star who dabbled in franchise tentpoles but came alive due to Rudd’s comedic aptitude. —Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 30 Oct. 2024 The same was true in HandBrake, as well as Geekbench, which measures overall aptitude at daily productivity tasks. —Brian Westover, PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024 Which is where Josephina shows her natural aptitude for the job, owning a standing target at the firing range and demonstrating a rapid-fire mastery of boots-on-the-ground directives in the noise-torture obstacle course or whatever. —Andy Andersen, Vulture, 1 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for aptitude 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, "tendency, likelihood," borrowed from Medieval Latin aptitūdō, going back to Late Latin, "fitness," from Latin aptus "fastened, prepared, suitable, fitting" + -i- -i- + -tūdō -tude — more at apt entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of aptitude was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing aptitude

Dictionary Entries Near aptitude

apting

aptitude

aptitude test

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Aptitude.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aptitude. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

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Kids Definition

aptitude

noun
ap·​ti·​tude ˈap-tə-ˌt(y)üd How to pronounce aptitude (audio)
1
: ability to learn : aptness
2
: a natural ability
an aptitude for mathematics

Medical Definition

aptitude

noun
ap·​ti·​tude ˈap-tə-ˌt(y)üd How to pronounce aptitude (audio)
: a natural or acquired capacity or ability
especially : a tendency, capacity, or inclination to learn or understand

More from Merriam-Webster on aptitude

Nglish: Translation of aptitude for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of aptitude for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about aptitude

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