unfit

American  

[uhn-fit] / ʌnˈfɪt /

adjective

1. not fit; not adapted or suited; unsuitable.

   He was unfit for his office.

   Synonyms:

   unapt, inappropriate

2. unqualified or incompetent.

   Synonyms:

   incapable

3. not physically fit or in due condition.

4. Biology. pertaining to an organism or population that is not adapted to prevailing conditions or is not producing offspring in sufficient numbers to maintain its contribution to the gene pool of the next generation.

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verb (used with object)

1. to render unfit or unsuitable; disqualify.

unfit British  

/ ʌnˈfɪt /

adjective

1. unqualified, incapable, or incompetent

   unfit for military service

2. unsuitable or inappropriate

   the ground was unfit for football

3. in poor physical condition

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Other Word Forms

• unfitness noun

Etymology

Origin of unfit

First recorded in 1535–45; un- ¹ + fit ¹

Example Sentences

Judges have rejected arguments that the 80-year-old, who was arrested in March last year and transferred to the Netherlands the same day, was unfit to stand trial.

From Barron's

She was unfit and unhappy and turned to ChatGPT for advice on diet, supplements and skincare.

From BBC

Lord Mandelson replied that "if those events unfolded it would certainly convince the public that we are unfit for government".

From BBC

Any documents the government deems potentially unfit for the public eye will go to Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee for further scrutiny.

From BBC

Suited as this world was to the great beasts, it was unfit for their eggs.

From Literature

Related Words

• ill-equipped
• impotent
• inadequate
• incapable
• ineligible
• unable
• unprepared
• unqualified
• useless