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

Explanation

An inability refers to lacking the capacity to do something. A deaf person has an inability to hear. If you know that abilities are things people can do — like the ability of a basketball player to dunk the ball — then you might already have figured out that an inability is something a person cannot do. Most people have an inability to dunk a basketball. People who eat too much have an inability to resist food. Often, this word refers to having mental limitations: an inability to think or figure something out. We all have different abilities and inabilities.

Example Sentences

The inability of successive activists to budge Bennett stems from the management-friendly laws of Maryland, where most REITs are domiciled.

From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026

Obviously, his inability to retain 7-foot-3 center Aday Mara was frustrating and ultimately devastating.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

He’s long resented her inability to contain the frenzy surrounding the Jeffrey Epstein files.

From Slate • Apr. 4, 2026

Five years later, his inability to improve his French was a final straw for many.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

The newsies buzzed about her inability to get pregnant.

From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton

Related Words

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