Capability vs. Skill — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 25, 2023
Capability refers to the potential to perform or achieve, while Skill is a learned proficiency in a specific activity or task.
Difference Between Capability and Skill
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A Capability denotes the inherent potential or capacity of an individual, system, or organization to perform a certain task or function. It’s an innate or developed power to achieve something. Conversely, a Skill is the actual proficiency or dexterity one possesses in performing a specific task, typically gained through training or experience. In essence, while Capability hints at the potential to do something, Skill reflects the actual proficiency in doing it.
In the context of a workplace, an organization might have the Capability to expand to new markets, meaning they have the resources, infrastructure, and strategy to do so. However, they would need individuals with the right Skills in international business, language proficiency, and cultural understanding to successfully achieve that expansion. Here, Capability underlines potential, and Skill emphasizes actionable expertise.
From an individual perspective, a person might have the Capability to become a professional athlete due to their physical attributes and inherent talents. Yet, to actually compete at a professional level, they would need to hone specific Skills, like ball-handling, strategy understanding, or agility drills, which come with rigorous training and practice. In this scenario, Capability could be seen as innate talent, and Skill as the refinement of that talent.
Within education, students might show the Capability to excel in certain subjects based on their aptitude and interest. This capability indicates their potential in that area. However, to achieve top grades and truly understand the subject, they need to develop specific Skills, which might include study techniques, time management, or analytical methods. In this light, Capability is a student's natural inclination towards a subject, while Skill represents the methods they employ to succeed.
In technological contexts, a software might have the Capability to perform various functions, meaning it has been designed with features that allow for certain tasks. To utilize these features to their maximum potential, the user would require specific Skills in navigating and operating the software. Here, Capability is about software potential, while Skill pertains to user proficiency.
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Comparison Chart
Nature
Potential or capacity
Learned proficiency
Acquisition
Inherent or developed
Gained through training or experience
Context in Work
Organizational potential to expand
Expertise in specific tasks for expansion
Context in Individuals
Innate talent or ability
Refined expertise through practice
In Technology
Software's designed features
User's proficiency in operating software
Compare with Definitions
Capability
The potential to develop or improve.
She has the capability to become a leading scientist.
Skill
Expertise acquired through training and practice.
His skill in carpentry is remarkable.
Capability
The power or ability to do something.
The new software has the capability to edit videos.
Skill
A particular ability in an activity.
Her main skill is negotiation.
Capability
A feature or quality enabling performance.
This car has off-road capability.
Skill
Mastery of a specific task.
His typing skill is impressive.
Capability
An inherent talent or aptitude.
His leadership capability is evident.
Skill
A skill is the learned ability to perform an action with determined results with good execution often within a given amount of time, energy, or both. Skills can often be divided into domain-general and domain-specific skills.
Capability
The total of what can be achieved.
The army's nuclear capability is a deterrent.
Skill
Proficiency, facility, or dexterity that is acquired or developed through training or experience
Painted with great skill.
Capability
The power or ability to do something
The company's capability to increase productivity
He had an intuitive capability of bringing the best out in people
Skill
A developed talent or ability
Improved his writing skills.
Capability
The quality of being capable; ability.
Skill
An art, trade, or technique, particularly one requiring use of the hands or body
The skill of glassmaking.
Capability
Often capabilities A talent or ability that has potential for development or use
A student of great capabilities.
Skill
(Obsolete) A reason; a cause.
Capability
The capacity to be used, treated, or developed for a specific purpose
Nuclear capability.
Skill
Capacity to do something well; technique, ability. Skills are usually acquired or learned, as opposed to abilities, which are often thought of as innate.
Where did you pick up that skill?
With great skill, she navigated through the tricky passage.
Doing that coaching course not only taught me useful skills on the field, but also some important life skills.
Capability
The power or ability to generate an outcome
Skill
(obsolete) Discrimination; judgment; propriety; reason; cause.
Capability
(computing) A digital token allowing a user or process to interact in a specified way with an object that is subject to access control.
Skill
(obsolete) Knowledge; understanding.
Capability
The quality of being capable; capacity; capableness; esp. intellectual power or ability.
A capability to take a thousand views of a subject.
Skill
(obsolete) Display of art; exercise of ability; contrivance; address.
Capability
Capacity of being used or improved.
Skill
Great, excellent.
Capability
The quality of being capable -- physically or intellectually or legally;
He worked to the limits of his capability
Skill
(transitive) To set apart; separate.
Capability
The susceptibility of something to a particular treatment;
The capability of a metal to be fused
Skill
To discern; have knowledge or understanding; to know how (to).
Capability
An aptitude that may be developed
Skill
To know; to understand.
Skill
(intransitive) To have knowledge or comprehension; discern.
Skill
(intransitive) To have personal or practical knowledge; be versed or practised; be expert or dextrous.
Skill
To make a difference; signify; matter.
Skill
(video games) To spend acquired points in exchange for skills.
Skill
Discrimination; judgment; propriety; reason; cause.
For great skill is, he prove that he wrought.
Skill
Knowledge; understanding.
That by his fellowship he color mightBoth his estate and love from skill of any wight.
Nor want we skill or art.
Skill
The familiar knowledge of any art or science, united with readiness and dexterity in execution or performance, or in the application of the art or science to practical purposes; power to discern and execute; ability to perceive and perform; expertness; aptitude; as, the skill of a mathematician, physician, surgeon, mechanic, etc.
Phocion, . . . by his great wisdom and skill at negotiations, diverted Alexander from the conquest of Athens.
Where patience her sweet skill imparts.
Skill
Display of art; exercise of ability; contrivance; address.
Richard . . . by a thousand princely skills, gathering so much corn as if he meant not to return.
Skill
Any particular art.
Learned in one skill, and in another kind of learning unskillful.
Skill
To know; to understand.
To skill the arts of expressing our mind.
Skill
To be knowing; to have understanding; to be dexterous in performance.
I can not skill of these thy ways.
Skill
To make a difference; to signify; to matter; - used impersonally.
What skills it, if a bag of stones or goldAbout thy neck do drown thee?
It skills not talking of it.
Skill
An ability that has been acquired by training
Skill
Ability to produce solutions in some problem domain;
The skill of a well-trained boxer
The sweet science of pugilism
Skill
The technique or proficiency in an art.
The dancer moved with great skill.
Skill
A dexterity or coordination in performance.
It takes skill to balance on a tightrope.
Common Curiosities
Can an organization possess both Capability and Skill?
Yes, an organization can have the capability to perform a function and the skill to execute it proficiently.
How do Capability and Skill relate to talent?
Capability can be likened to innate talent, whereas Skill is the refinement and application of that talent.
Is Skill only related to professional tasks?
No, Skill can be associated with any task, from professional duties to hobbies and everyday activities.
Can Capability be enhanced?
Yes, Capability can be enhanced by acquiring resources, training, and other development methods.
What is the basic definition of Capability?
Capability refers to the potential or capacity to perform or achieve something.
How are Capability and Skill connected in education?
Students might have the capability (aptitude) in subjects, but need specific skills (techniques) to excel.
How are Capability and Skill acquired?
Capability can be inherent or developed, while Skill is usually acquired through training or experience.
Can Skills be transferred between tasks?
Some skills are transferable and can be applied in different contexts, while others are task-specific.
How is Skill defined?
Skill is a learned proficiency or expertise in a specific task or activity.
Can Capability exist without Skill?
Yes, one can have the capability (potential) to do something but might lack the skill (proficiency) to execute it.
Is every Capability backed by Skill?
Not always. One might have the capability for a task but might need to develop the skill to perform it.
Which is more valuable, Capability or Skill?
Both are valuable in different contexts. Capability indicates potential, while Skill showcases actual proficiency.
Can one have Skill without Capability?
Rarely. While skill is a proficiency, having it usually indicates some level of capability in that area.
What determines an individual's Capability?
It can be a combination of innate talent, resources, training, and environmental factors.
Are Capability and Skill synonymous?
No, while related, they have distinct meanings. Capability is about potential, and Skill is about proficiency.
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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.
