First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
aptitude
noun ap·ti·tude \ˈap-tə-ˌtüd, -ˌtyüd\
: a natural ability to do something or to learn something
Full Definition of APTITUDE
1
a : inclination, tendency <an aptitude for hard work> b : a natural ability : talent
2
: capacity for learning <an aptitude for languages>
3
: general suitability : aptness
— ap·ti·tu·di·nal \ˌap-tə-ˈtü-dən-əl, -ˈtyü-\ adjective
— ap·ti·tu·di·nal·ly adverb
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Origin of APTITUDE
Middle English, from Medieval Latin aptitudo, from Late Latin, fitness, from Latin aptus
Related to APTITUDE
- Synonyms
- affection, affinity, inclination, bent, bias, bone, devices, disposition, genius, habitude, impulse, leaning, partiality, penchant, predilection, predisposition, proclivity, propensity, tendency, turn
Synonym Discussion of 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>.
Other Psychology Terms
Rhymes with APTITUDE
altitude, amplitude, attitude, certitude, comfort food, consuetude, crassitude, desuetude, finger food, finitude, fortitude, gratitude, habitude, hebetude, interlude, lassitude, latitude, longitude, magnitude, mansuetude, multitude, negritude, platitude, plenitude, promptitude, pulchritude, quietude, rectitude, seminude, servitude, solitude, turpitude, vastitude
APTITUDE Defined for Kids
aptitude
noun ap·ti·tude \ˈap-tə-ˌtüd, -ˌtyüd\
Definition of APTITUDE for Kids
1
: natural ability : talent <He has an aptitude for music.>
2
: capacity to learn <a test of aptitude>
Medical Dictionary
aptitude
noun ap·ti·tude \ˈap-tə-ˌt(y)üd\
Medical Definition of APTITUDE
: a natural or acquired capacity or ability; especially : a tendency, capacity, or inclination to learn or understand
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