Ability vs. Strength — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 26, 2023
Ability refers to the capacity to perform a task; Strength is the physical power or mental fortitude.
Difference Between Ability and Strength
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Ability encompasses the skills or talents to do something, while strength is often associated with physical power or endurance.
Someone's ability might be in playing the piano, while their strength could be in lifting weights.
Abilities can be developed through learning and practice, whereas strength can refer to innate physical power or mental resilience.
While ability often implies a broader range of skills, strength typically focuses on the intensity or power in a specific area.
An individual's ability might include problem-solving, whereas their strength could be in perseverance during challenges.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Definition
Capacity to perform or act
Physical power or mental resilience
Context
Skills, talents, competencies
Power, endurance, force
Development
Acquired through learning and practice
Built through physical or mental training
Example in a Person
Ability to learn languages quickly
Strength in enduring hardships
Associated Connotations
Skillfulness, capability
Power, fortitude, intensity
Compare with Definitions
Ability
Skill or Talent
Her ability to sing impressed everyone.
Strength
The quality or state of being physically strong
Cycling can help you build up your strength
Ability
Capability
His ability to multitask was remarkable.
Strength
The capacity of an object or substance to withstand great force or pressure
They were taking no chances with the strength of the retaining wall
Ability
Competency
His mathematical ability won him a prize.
Strength
The potency or degree of concentration of a drug, chemical, or drink
The solution comes in two strengths
It's double the strength of your average beer
Ability
Learned Capacity
Her ability in coding grew with practice.
Strength
A good or beneficial quality or attribute of a person or thing
The strengths and weaknesses of their sales and marketing operation
His strength was his obsessive single-mindedness
Ability
Possession of the means or skill to do something
The manager had lost his ability to motivate the players
Strength
Intensity
The strength of his conviction was unshakeable.
Ability
The quality of being able to do something, especially the physical, mental, financial, or legal power to accomplish something.
Strength
Fortitude
His strength during the crisis was commendable.
Ability
A skill, talent, or capacity
A student of many abilities.
Strength
Vigor
The strength of the storm took everyone by surprise.
Ability
Potential
Her artistic ability was yet to be fully realized.
Strength
The number of people comprising a group, typically a team or army
The peacetime strength of the army was 415,000
Ability
Talent, skill, or proficiency in a particular area
Pupils of all abilities
A man of exceptional ability
Strength
The state or quality of being strong; physical power or capacity
The strength needed to lift a box.
Ability
The quality of being suitable for or receptive to a specified treatment
The ability of a computer to be configured for use as a file server. See Usage Note at able.
Strength
The capacity to resist attack; impregnability
The strength of the ship's armor.
Ability
(obsolete) Suitableness.
Strength
The capacity to resist strain or stress; durability
The strength of the cables.
Ability
(uncountable) The quality or state of being able; capacity to do or of doing something; having the necessary power.
This phone has the ability to have its software upgraded wirelessly.
This wood has the ability to fight off insects, fungus, and mold for a considerable time.
Strength
The ability to deal with difficult situations or to maintain a moral or intellectual position
Does he have the strength to overcome such a tragedy?.
Ability
The legal wherewithal to act.
Strength
The number of people constituting a normal or ideal organization
The police force has been at half strength since the budget cuts.
Ability
Physical power.
Strength
Capability in terms of numbers or resources
An army of fearsome strength.
Ability
(archaic) Financial ability.
Strength
An attribute or quality of particular worth or utility; an asset
Your easygoing nature is one of your strengths.
Ability
(uncountable) A unique power of the mind; a faculty.
Strength
One that is regarded as the embodiment of protective or supportive power; a support or mainstay
Her family has been her strength in difficult times.
Ability
(countable) A skill or competence in doing; mental power; talent; aptitude.
They are persons of ability, who will go far in life.
She has an uncanny ability to defuse conflict.
A mixed-ability class
Strength
Degree of concentration, distillation, or saturation
What's the strength of that cleaning solution?.
Ability
The quality or state of being able; power to perform, whether physical, moral, intellectual, conventional, or legal; capacity; skill or competence in doing; sufficiency of strength, skill, resources, etc.; - in the plural, faculty, talent.
Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren.
Natural abilities are like natural plants, that need pruning by study.
The public men of England, with much of a peculiar kind of ability.
Strength
Operative effectiveness or potency
The strength of the drug.
Ability
The quality of being able to perform; a quality that permits or facilitates achievement or accomplishment
Strength
Intensity, as of sound or light
The strength of the wind.
Ability
Possession of the qualities (especially mental qualities) required to do something or get something done;
Danger heightened his powers of discrimination
Strength
Intensity of emotion or belief
The strength of feeling among the voters.
Strength
Cogency or persuasiveness
The strength of his argument.
Strength
Effective or binding force; efficacy
The strength of an argument.
Strength
Firmness of or a continuous rising tendency in prices, as of a currency or market.
Strength
(Games) Power derived from the value of playing cards held.
Strength
The quality or degree of being strong.
It requires great strength to lift heavy objects.
Strength
The intensity of a force or power; potency.
He had the strength of ten men.
Strength
The strongest part of something; that on which confidence or reliance is based.
Strength
A positive attribute.
We all have our own strengths and weaknesses.
Strength
(obsolete) An armed force, a body of troops.
Strength
(obsolete) A strong place; a stronghold.
Strength
(obsolete) To strengthen all senses.
Strength
The quality or state of being strong; ability to do or to bear; capacity for exertion or endurance, whether physical, intellectual, or moral; force; vigor; power; as, strength of body or of the arm; strength of mind, of memory, or of judgment.
All his [Samson's] strength in his hairs were.
Thou must outliveThy youth, thy strength, thy beauty.
Strength
Power to resist force; solidity or toughness; the quality of bodies by which they endure the application of force without breaking or yielding; - in this sense opposed to frangibility; as, the strength of a bone, of a beam, of a wall, a rope, and the like.
Strength
Power of resisting attacks; impregnability.
Strength
That quality which tends to secure results; effective power in an institution or enactment; security; validity; legal or moral force; logical conclusiveness; as, the strength of social or legal obligations; the strength of law; the strength of public opinion; strength of evidence; strength of argument.
Strength
One who, or that which, is regarded as embodying or affording force, strength, or firmness; that on which confidence or reliance is based; support; security.
God is our refuge and strength.
What they boded would be a mischief to us, you are providing shall be one of our principal strengths.
Certainly there is not a greater strength against temptation.
Strength
Force as measured; amount, numbers, or power of any body, as of an army, a navy, and the like; as, what is the strength of the enemy by land, or by sea?
Strength
Vigor or style; force of expression; nervous diction; - said of literary work.
And praise the easy vigor of a lifeWhere Denham's strength and Waller's sweetness join.
Strength
Intensity; - said of light or color.
Bright Phœbus in his strength.
Strength
Intensity or degree of the distinguishing and essential element; spirit; virtue; excellence; - said of liquors, solutions, etc.; as, the strength of wine or of acids.
Strength
A strong place; a stronghold.
Strength
To strengthen.
Strength
The property of being physically or mentally strong;
Fatigue sapped his strength
Strength
Capability in terms of personnel and materiel that affect the capacity to fight a war;
We faced an army of great strength
Politicians have neglected our military posture
Strength
Physical energy or intensity;
He hit with all the force he could muster
It was destroyed by the strength of the gale
A government has not the vitality and forcefulness of a living man
Strength
An asset of special worth or utility;
Cooking is his forte
Strength
The power to induce the taking of a course of action or the embracing of a point of view by means of argument or entreaty;
The strength of his argument settled the matter
Strength
The amount of energy transmitted (as by acoustic or electromagnetic radiation);
He adjusted the intensity of the sound
They measured the station's signal strength
Strength
Capacity to produce strong physiological or chemical effects;
The toxin's potency
The strength of the drinks
Strength
The condition of financial success;
The strength of the company's stock in recent weeks
Strength
Permanence by virtue of the power to resist stress or force;
They advertised the durability of their products
Strength
Physical Power
His strength was evident in his weightlifting.
Strength
Mental Resilience
Her strength in adversity inspired many.
Common Curiosities
Can strength be a character trait?
Yes, it can refer to character strength.
Can abilities be innate?
Some abilities are innate, but many are developed.
Is strength always physical?
No, it can be mental or emotional too.
Is physical strength measurable?
Yes, through various physical tests.
Do abilities always lead to success?
Not always, but they increase the chances.
Do abilities improve with practice?
Yes, abilities often improve with practice.
Are abilities limited to certain areas?
No, they can span a wide range of areas.
Can strength be a weakness?
In some contexts, it could be seen as such.
Is emotional strength important?
Yes, it's vital in many life aspects.
Can abilities be lost?
Yes, if not practiced or due to other factors.
Are some abilities rare?
Yes, certain abilities are less common.
Does age affect strength?
It can, especially physical strength.
Does strength always mean endurance?
Often, but it can also mean power.
How can one identify their abilities?
Through self-exploration and trying new things.
Can anyone develop new abilities?
With practice and dedication, often yes.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Ambrotype vs. Daguerreotype
Next Comparison
Amphetamine vs. DextroamphetamineAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
