Skill vs. Ability

By Jaxson

  • Skill

    A skill is the ability to carry out a task with determined results often within a given amount of time, energy, or both. Skills can often be divided into domain-general and domain-specific skills. For example, in the domain of work, some general skills would include time management, teamwork and leadership, self-motivation and others, whereas domain-specific skills would be used only for a certain job. Skill usually requires certain environmental stimuli and situations to assess the level of skill being shown and used.

    People need a broad range of skills to contribute to a modern economy. A joint ASTD and U.S. Department of Labor study showed that through technology, the workplace is changing, and identified 16 basic skills that employees must have to be able to change with it. Three broad categories of skills are suggested and these are technical, human, and conceptual. The first two can be substituted with hard and soft skills, respectively.

Wikipedia
  • Skill (noun)

    Capacity to do something well; technique, ability. Skills are usually acquired or learned, as opposed to abilities, which are often thought of as innate.

  • Skill (noun)

    Discrimination; judgment; propriety; reason; cause.

  • Skill (noun)

    Knowledge; understanding.

  • Skill (noun)

    Display of art; exercise of ability; contrivance; address.

  • Skill (adjective)

    Great, excellent. 1980s–1990s

  • Skill (verb)

    To set apart; separate.

  • Skill (verb)

    To discern; have knowledge or understanding; to know how (to).

  • Skill (verb)

    To know; to understand.

  • Skill (verb)

    To have knowledge or comprehension; discern.

  • Skill (verb)

    To have personal or practical knowledge; be versed or practised; be expert or dextrous.

  • Skill (verb)

    To make a difference; signify; matter.

  • Skill (verb)

    To spend acquired points in exchange for skills.

  • Ability (noun)

    Suitableness. Attested from around (1350 to 1470) until the late 17th century.page=4

  • Ability (noun)

    The quality or state of being able; capacity to do or of doing something; having the necessary power. First attested from around (1350 to 1470).

    “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.”

  • Ability (noun)

    The legal wherewithal to act. First attested in the mid 17th century.

  • Ability (noun)

    Physical power. First attested from around (1350 to 1470).

  • Ability (noun)

    Financial ability. First attested in the early 16th century.

  • Ability (noun)

    A unique power of the mind; a faculty. First attested in the late 16 th century.

  • Ability (noun)

    A skill or competence in doing; mental power; talent; aptitude. First attested in the early 17 th century.

    “They are persons of ability, who will go far in life.”

    “She has an uncanny ability to defuse conflict.”

Wiktionary
  • Ability (noun)

    possession of the means or skill to do something

    “the manager had lost his ability to motivate the players”

  • Ability (noun)

    talent, skill, or proficiency in a particular area

    “pupils of all abilities”

    “a man of exceptional ability”

Oxford Dictionary

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