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

Inability to maintain high quality may be a factor in deciding whether a developer is abiding by the Developer Code of Conduct.

From The Verge • Jun. 7, 2021

Rebecca Onion: The bees are related to his Inability to Love.

From Slate • Jan. 23, 2021

"Inability to breathe after simple tasks like getting a glass of water" was another side-effect, the 34-year-old actress said.

From Fox News • Aug. 1, 2020

The reason: Inability to schedule required meetings with overburdened permitting officials, according to developer Maria Barrientos.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 27, 2019

Inability to pay rent forced us to move into a house perched atop high logs in a section of the town where flood waters came.

From "Black Boy" by Richard Wright

Related Words

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