Ability vs. Efficacy — What's the Difference?
Difference Between Ability and Efficacy
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Compare with Definitions
Ability
Possession of the means or skill to do something
The manager had lost his ability to motivate the players
Efficacy
Efficacy is the ability to perform a task to a satisfactory or expected degree. The word comes from the same roots as effectiveness, and it has often been used synonymously, although in pharmacology a distinction is now often made between efficacy and effectiveness.The word efficacy is used in pharmacology and medicine to refer both to the maximum response achievable from a pharmaceutical drug in research settings, and to the capacity for sufficient therapeutic effect or beneficial change in clinical settings.
Ability
Talent, skill, or proficiency in a particular area
Pupils of all abilities
A man of exceptional ability
Efficacy
The ability to produce a desired or intended result
There is little information on the efficacy of this treatment
Ability
The quality of being able to do something, especially the physical, mental, financial, or legal power to accomplish something.
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Efficacy
Power or capacity to produce a desired effect; effectiveness.
Ability
A skill, talent, or capacity
A student of many abilities.
Efficacy
Ability to produce a desired effect under ideal testing conditions.
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.
Efficacy
Degree of ability to produce a desired effect; effectiveness.
Ability
(obsolete) Suitableness.
Efficacy
Power to produce effects; operation or energy of an agent or force; production of the effect intended; as, the efficacy of medicine in counteracting disease; the efficacy of prayer.
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.
Efficacy
Capacity or power to produce a desired effect;
Concern about the safety and efficacy of the vaccine
Ability
The legal wherewithal to act.
Ability
Physical power.
Ability
(archaic) Financial ability.
Ability
(uncountable) A unique power of the mind; a faculty.
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
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.
Ability
The quality of being able to perform; a quality that permits or facilitates achievement or accomplishment
Ability
Possession of the qualities (especially mental qualities) required to do something or get something done;
Danger heightened his powers of discrimination
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