unable

[ uhn-ey-buhl ]

adjective

1. lacking the necessary power, competence, etc., to accomplish some specified act:

   He was unable to swim.

unable

/ ʌnˈeɪbəl /

adjective

1. postpositivefoll byto lacking the necessary power, ability, or authority (to do something); not able
2. archaic.
   incompetent

Word History and Origins

Origin of unable¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English; un- ¹ + able

Synonym Study

See incapable.

Example Sentences

The demographic change made it difficult for older people to live in Senboku-NT as neighborhood shops closed one after another, leaving frail older adults unable to maintain their daily life within walking distance.

From Science Daily

Some £3.7bn is collectively owed to energy suppliers from people unable to pay their gas and electricity bills, for example.

From BBC

Dr. Naim “purported to attribute to his opinions to the medical literature,” but was unable to provide any citations when prompted, the letter said.

From Los Angeles Times

Parts of the building were in a poor condition and often the internet did not work, which meant pupils were sometimes unable to complete tasks set.

From BBC

He said it sometimes felt like he was working in "North Korea or East Germany", unable to "have an open conversation" with colleagues.

From BBC

Related Words

• helpless
• impotent
• inadequate
• incapable
• not able
• powerless
• sidelined
• unfit
• weak