incapable
incapable Lexical Profile
incapable Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Lacking the necessary ability, capacity, or power to do or experience a specified thing (usually followed by 'of').
"The exhausted hikers were incapable of walking another mile before nightfall."
Generally incompetent, helpless, or unable to manage one's own affairs.
"He is far from incapable and can easily manage the department in her absence."
Not susceptible to or not admitting of a particular action, state, or treatment (followed by 'of').
"The ancient manuscript was so badly damaged that it was incapable of restoration."
Word Nuance & Usage
When indicating a specific action or state that cannot be performed, 'incapable' is followed by the preposition 'of' and a gerund or noun (e.g., 'incapable of lying'), whereas 'unable' is followed by an infinitive ('unable to lie').
• Rhymes for incapable
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 16th century from Middle French incapable or Late Latin incapabilis, formed from the privative prefix in- ('not') and capabilis ('able to hold or contain'), from the Latin verb capere ('to take or grasp').