inability

American  

[in-uh-bil-i-tee] / ˌɪn əˈbɪl ɪ ti /

noun

1. lack of ability; lack of power, capacity, or means.

   his inability to make decisions.

   Synonyms:

   incompetence , impotence , incapacity , incapability

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inability British  

/ ˌɪnəˈbɪlɪtɪ /

noun

1. lack of ability or means; incapacity

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Related Words

See disability.

Etymology

Origin of inability

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English inabilite, from Medieval Latin inhabilitās; equivalent to in- ³ + ability

Example Sentences

Of course, this doesn’t excuse her inability to empathize with you after the party.

From MarketWatch

Its stance, and the inability of Lebanon’s weaker army to force disarmament, is heightening tensions with Israel and the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal

As with last year’s chicken, your sister’s apparent inability to gauge the temperature in the room is the real root of the problem.

From MarketWatch

While she has since embraced her womanhood, she says she still lives with the irreversible effects—including chronic pain, a low voice, excessive hair growth and the inability to breastfeed her child.

From The Wall Street Journal

For many Nigerians, the persistent insecurity reflects the state’s inability to ensure their protection.

From Barron's

Related Words

• failure
• impotence
• incompetence
• inefficiency
• ineptitude
• lack
• shortcoming
• weakness