incapable

[ in-key-puh-buhl ]

/ ɪnˈkeɪ pə bəl /

|||

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR incapable ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

not capable.

not having the necessary ability, qualification, or strength to perform some specified act or function: As an administrator, he is simply incapable.

without ordinary capability; incompetent.

noun

a thoroughly incompetent person, especially one of defective mentality.

Nearby words

incandescence, incandescent, incandescent lamp, incantation, incantatory, incapable, incapacitant, incapacitate, incapacitated, incapacity, incapacity benefit

Idioms

incapable of,

not having the ability, qualification, or strength for (a specified act or function).
not open to; not susceptible to or admitting: These materials are incapable of exact measurement.
legally unqualified for.

Origin of incapable

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

SYNONYMS FOR incapable

1 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.

2 impotent, unqualified.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR incapable ON THESAURUS.COM

ANTONYMS FOR incapable

1 able.

SEE MORE ANTONYMS FOR incapable ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

in·ca·pa·bil·i·ty, in·ca·pa·ble·ness, nounin·ca·pa·bly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for incapable

She is incapable of responding to kindness and enquiry, even very gentle flirting on the part of a co-worker.
Grief: The Real Monster in The Babadook|Tim Teeman|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Unlike influenza, it is incapable of traveling through tiny microscopic particles.
The Sham, Scaremongering Guide to Ebola|Abby Haglage|November 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A “simple bout of flu” is incapable of mutating into an Ebola infection.
The Sham, Scaremongering Guide to Ebola|Abby Haglage|November 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Nancy, on the other hand, was incapable of communicating her wishes.
U.K. Courts Grant Mother Right to End Her 12-Year-Old Disabled Daughter’s Life|Elizabeth Picciuto|November 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Used without a German army on the ground, as it had been in mainland Europe, the Luftwaffe was incapable of securing victory.
Blood and War: The Hard Truth About ‘Boots on the Ground’|Clive Irving|September 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The ape's vocal cords, which now were Bentley's, were incapable of speech.
Astounding Stories, June, 1931|Various
She is sincerely glad, and yet—is she incapable of inspiring a lasting regard?
Floyd Grandon's Honor|Amanda Minnie Douglas
The soldiers had died bravely; but the chiefs had been incapable of leading them.
Other People's Money|Emile Gaboriau
He told himself that he was the play-thing of sensorial illusions and that he was incapable of reacting.
Against The Grain|Joris-Karl Huysmans
It is not the business of the Scots, who are incapable of it, and no well-wishers to the church of England.
The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol.II.|Tobias Smollett

British Dictionary definitions for incapable

incapable

/ (ɪnˈkeɪpəbəl) /

adjective

(when postpositive, often foll by of) not capable (of); lacking the ability (to)

powerless or helpless, as through injury or intoxication

(postpositive foll by of) not susceptible (to); not admitting (of)a problem incapable of solution

Derived Forms

incapability or incapableness, nounincapably, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012