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

All three of the audited facilities house individuals who are either incarcerated or institutionalized because they were deemed by the courts to be dangerous or unfit to stand trial.

From Los Angeles Times

His poor eyesight had made him initially unfit for service at the start of the war, his mother says.

From BBC

Whether a woman is "unfit" or not is judged first by a GP, and then a second medical body, before an abortion is granted.

From BBC

They did not provide sufficient evidence to label him unfit to drive.

From BBC

This concluded she had a pattern of entering "dysfunctional relationships" and was unfit to parent.

From BBC

Related Words

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