aptitude
She has a strong aptitude for languages.
She is naturally good at learning languages.
a natural ability to learn or do something
His aptitude for mathematics was evident from an early age.
He showed a natural talent for math when he was very young.
Often used with the preposition "for" to specify the domain of the ability.
Collocations
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Tip
Do not confuse "aptitude" with "attitude"; the former is about ability, the latter about mindset.
Gold Rule
Rule
When describing a person's natural talent, prefer "aptitude" over "skill" if the ability is innate rather than acquired.
Word Origin
Late Middle English, from Latin aptitudo ‘fitness, suitability’, from aptus ‘fit, suitable’. The suffix -itude denotes a state or quality.
Usage Notes
Use "aptitude" when referring to innate potential rather than learned skill. Common collocations include "aptitude for" and "aptitude test".