incapable

American  

[in-key-puh-buhl] / ɪnˈkeɪ pə bəl /

adjective

1. not capable.

   Antonyms:

   able

2. 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

3. without ordinary capability; incompetent.

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noun

1. a thoroughly incompetent person, especially one of defective mentality.

idioms

1. incapable of,

   1. not having the ability, qualification, or strength for (a specified act or function).

   2. not open to; not susceptible to or admitting.

      These materials are incapable of exact measurement.

   3. legally unqualified for.

incapable British  

/ ɪnˈkeɪpəbəl /

adjective

1. not capable (of); lacking the ability (to)

2. powerless or helpless, as through injury or intoxication

3. not susceptible (to); not admitting (of)

   a problem incapable of solution

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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

• incapability
  noun
• incapableness
  noun
• incapably
  adverb

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."

Example Sentences

The book is full of fascinating trivia, but Mr. Norman, though dependable with places and dates, is incapable of breathing life into the well-known.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 12, 2026

On the left, Marine Tondelier of the Ecologists said the affair was a "symbol of a politico-judicial system incapable of handling the issue of sexist and sexual violence".

From BBC • Jun. 5, 2026

But I also understand the rage of taxpayers who wonder why Los Angeles City Hall is so incapable of managing the basics.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 18, 2026

Vance, though, is clearly incapable of such a spontaneous response.

From Salon • Apr. 1, 2026

But now, as he saw Fiver, small and familiar, incapable of hurting anyone or of concealing what he felt, trembling in the wet grass, either from fear or from cold, his anger melted away.

From "Watership Down: A Novel" by Richard Adams

Related Words

• impotent
• inadequate
• incompetent
• ineffective
• ineligible
• naive
• powerless
• unable
• unfit
• unqualified
• unsuited
• weak