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Definition of unable

unable

/ʌnˈeɪ.bəl/
un · a · ble
Adverb:unably
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unable Lexical Profile

unable Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Lacking the skill, means, power, or opportunity to do something (almost always used predicatively and followed by a to-infinitive).

Example

"Due to the severe snowstorm, several speakers were unable to attend the annual conference."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for unable
Antonyms
View all antonyms for unable

Word Nuance & Usage

In standard modern English, 'unable' is used almost exclusively as a predicate adjective followed by a to-infinitive (e.g., 'she was unable to attend'), whereas 'incapable' is typically followed by 'of' and a gerund (e.g., 'incapable of attending').

• Rhymes for unable

• Nearby Words

unabated
unabating
unabbreviated
unable
unabridged
unabsorbed
unabsorbent

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in Middle English in the late 14th century by combining the native English privative prefix 'un-' (meaning 'not') with the adjective 'able', which entered English via Old French from the Latin 'habilis' ('easily handled' or 'apt').

Cite this Entry

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