incapable
Americanadjective
-
not capable.
- Antonyms:
- able
-
not having the necessary ability, qualification, or strength to perform some specified act or function.
As an administrator, he is simply incapable.
- Synonyms:
- unqualified, impotent
-
without ordinary capability; incompetent.
noun
idioms
adjective
-
not capable (of); lacking the ability (to)
-
powerless or helpless, as through injury or intoxication
-
not susceptible (to); not admitting (of)
a problem incapable of solution
Synonym Usage
Incapable, incompetent, inefficient, unable are applied to a person or thing that is lacking in ability, preparation, or power for whatever is to be done. Incapable usually means inherently lacking in ability or power: incapable of appreciating music; a bridge incapable of carrying heavy loads. Incompetent, generally used only of persons, means unfit or unqualified for a particular task: incompetent as an administrator. Inefficient means wasteful in the use of effort or power: an inefficient manager; inefficient methods. Unable usually refers to a temporary condition of inability to do some specific thing: unable to relax, to go to a concert.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of incapable
From the Late Latin word incapābilis, dating back to 1585–95. See in- 3, capable
Explanation
When — even when you want to go to your friends' party — you're incapable of telling your mother you are going to miss her birthday dinner, it means you just can't do it, and that you're a good person. Incapable means "unable." If incapable means "unable," does capable mean "able"? Yes, but capable also can mean good at getting things done in general, while incapable less often has such a general meaning. You would say, "I'm incapable of making a decent loaf of bread." You'd be less likely to say, "I'm incapable in the kitchen."
Vocabulary lists containing incapable
The Watsons Go to Birmingham
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"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, Chapters 12–15
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A Wrinkle in Time
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He even regularly cheats at golf because he’s so incapable of playing fair.
From Salon ● Oct. 16, 2026
When Scott McKenna was sent off late in the night in Skopje, North Macedonia did something they looked entirely incapable of doing for 80-plus minutes spent buried in Scotland's collective pocket.
From BBC ● Oct. 3, 2026
For all his disparate pursuits, Elsesser revels in the small details, incapable of giving anything less than total dedication.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 7, 2026
Despite playing better than any other golfer around, Scheffler found himself incapable of winning.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 31, 2026
He has the notion that much information is unreliable and needs to be tested, and yet he seems incapable of performing sensible tests.
From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
