unable

[ uhn-ey-buh l ]

/ ʌnˈeɪ bəl /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR unable ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

lacking the necessary power, competence, etc., to accomplish some specified act: He was unable to swim.

Nearby words

Origin of unable

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at un-¹, able

SYNONYMS FOR unable

See incapable.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR unable ON THESAURUS.COM

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

Examples from the Web for unable

Those opposing same-sex marriage are on their heels, and increasingly unwilling or unable to make a stand against it.
‘Only God’ Can Stop Gay Marriage|Tim Mak|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
But at this stage, he is either afraid or unable to get carried away by his thoughts.
The Lost Novel of Nobel-Winner José Saramago|Charles Shafaieh|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Lee would stay up late, unable to sleep from the pains he had in his back.
The Story Behind Lee Marvin’s Liberty Valance Smile|Robert Ward|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
In the name of protecting passengers, however, tourists in Las Vegas are unable to take advantage of this service.
Why Do ‘Progressives’ Want to Ban Uber and AirBnB?|Adam Thierer, Christopher Koopman|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST

He didn't want to be there exposed, unable to shift the focus when he felt like it.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days|David Freeman|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
As regards myself, assailed by all the Gandharvas, I fled before thy eyes, unable to rally our flying host.
The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa Bk. 3 Pt. 2|Translated by Kisari Mohan Ganguli
But hindered by the bonds that bound her, she was unable to follow with suppleness the motion of her mount.
The Branding Needle, or The Monastery of Charolles|Eugne Sue
Sometimes sums of money were left to be spent on providing bread for those who were unable to work.
Cheshire|Charles E. Kelsey
He made himself appear so very old as to be unable to leave his lodge, and had his daughters to bring him food and wait on him.
The Myth of Hiawatha, and Other Oral Legends, Mythologic and Allegoric, of the North American Indians|Henry R. Schoolcraft
The children began to cry, and unable to stand the sight any longer Joe withdrew.
Joe The Hotel Boy|Horatio Alger Jr.

British Dictionary definitions for unable

unable

/ (ʌnˈeɪbəl) /

adjective

(postpositive foll by to) lacking the necessary power, ability, or authority (to do something); not able

archaic incompetent

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

Word Origin and History for unable

unable

adj.

late 14c., "lacking in ability, incapable," from un- (1) "not" + able. Modeled on Old French inhabile or Latin inhabilis.

unable

adjective

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Nearby words

Origin of unable

Examples from the Web for unable

unable

adjective

unable