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Definition of inability

inability

/ˌɪn.əˈbɪl.ə.ti/
in · a · bil · i · ty
Adverb:unably
•
Plural:inabilities
•
Adjective:unable
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inability Lexical Profile

inability Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The state of being unable to do something; a lack of the required skill, power, means, or capacity to perform a specific action.

Example

"His inability to compromise made it difficult for the committee to reach a unanimous agreement."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for inability
Antonyms
View all antonyms for inability

Word Nuance & Usage

'Inability' refers to the lack of skill, power, or capacity to do a specific action (typically followed by 'to' and an infinitive), whereas 'disability' refers to a long-term physical, sensory, or cognitive condition that limits a person's major life activities.

• Rhymes for inability

• Nearby Words

impurity
impute
in
inability
inaccessibility
inaccessible
inaccessibly

Word Origin & Etymology

Late Middle English, formed from the Latin negative prefix 'in-' ('not') combined with 'ability', or modeled after Medieval Latin 'inhabilitas'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Inability. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/inability
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