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.
The clause survives as decoration: incorporated, venerated, and incapable of stopping a single seizure.
From Slate ● Jul. 28, 2026
Stryker argued the now-abandoned study was structurally incapable of producing useful evidence.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 13, 2026
Marcia believes Scatchard was incapable of being rehabilitated in prison and should "absolutely not" have ever been released.
From BBC ● Jul. 10, 2026
For someone who loves her bananas barely ripe — when the peel is a beautiful ombre of green and light yellow — I’m now incapable of enjoying them raw.
From Salon ● Jun. 20, 2026
“Why? Because you’ve become incapable of responding to my questions in more than little nubs of sentences. And where? To the Last Hoorah party.”
From "When Dimple Met Rishi" by Sandhya Menon
Definitions 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.
