incapable

[in-key-puh-buhl]

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.

noun

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

incapable

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• incapability noun
• incapableness noun
• incapably adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of incapable¹

From the Late Latin word incapābilis, dating back to 1585–95. See in- ³, capable

Idioms and Phrases

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.

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

There’s every indication that he is incapable of any such empathy.

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To make matters worse, Ma seems incapable of separating home and school.

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"The prosecution, in granting immunity to all their witnesses and dismissing all their charges… essentially rendered themselves incapable of achieving justice in this case," he said.

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A hunting party shoots him — the first hint that this version of The Creature is not merely hard to kill but possibly incapable of dying at all.

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Advocates for survivors called the distinction harmful, noting that Epstein’s decades-long pattern of coercion and trafficking involved minors who were legally incapable of consent, regardless of age.

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Related Words

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