usability

noun

us·​abil·​i·​ty ˌyü-zə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce usability (audio)
: the quality or state of being usable : ease of use
When netbooks arrived a couple of years ago, they were so tiny, only spider monkeys would find them usable. But as they've inched up in size and usability, their sales have taken off.David Pogue
One of the other great problems of computer software is preoccupation with bells and whistles, rather than usability. Even software that began as easily usable can evolve over time into something so burdened with complicated (and trivial) features that it is a challenge to figure out how to do the simplest thing.Thomas Sowell

Examples of usability in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The OnePlus Open is a sleek, lightweight, foldable phone with a hinge that's designed with fewer parts and premium materials, feels sturdy, and folds flat, enhancing usability. Shubham Yewale, PCMAG, 11 Feb. 2025 Automotive experts have noted that the user interface GM offers customers lags behind CarPlay in usability and appearance. Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 4 Feb. 2025 Create opportunities for employees to provide input on the training experience, allowing for iterative adjustments that address any usability or content gaps. Oleg Fonarov, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025 By preventing data oversharing and ensuring that only authorized users access specific information, Doti creates a secure environment for collaboration without compromising usability. Tony Bradley, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for usability 

Word History

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of usability was in 1842

Dictionary Entries Near usability

Cite this Entry

“Usability.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/usability. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.

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