'ability-related' is a modern English compound formed from 'ability' + 'related'. 'ability' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'habilitas', where 'habilis' meant 'able, apt'. 'related' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'relatus', the past participle of 'referre', where 're-' meant 'back' and 'ferre' (or 'ferre' stem) meant 'to carry or bring'.

'ability' passed into English via Old French ('habilite') and Middle English ('abilite'), eventually becoming modern English 'ability'. 'related' comes from Latin 'relatus' through Old French/Latin verbal forms (via medieval use) and into Middle English as 'relaten/related', becoming the modern past-participle/adjective 'related'.

Initially, the elements meant 'the state of being able' ('ability') and 'brought back / connected' ('related'); over time the compound came to mean simply 'connected with ability' or 'concerning ability'.