unfit

[uhn-fit]

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.

verb (used with object)

1. to render unfit or unsuitable; disqualify.

unfit

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• unfitness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of unfit¹

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

Example Sentences

Some of these have been hijacked and are unfit for human habitation.

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Several officers have since been sacked, after Sir Mark Rowley pledged to be "ruthless" in getting rid of officers who are unfit to serve.

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If Sabalenka wins, she beats a man who is unfit and has been a total irrelevance for a number of years.

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"Anyone who spreads blood libels against IDF troops is unfit to wear the army's uniform," he said.

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He writes that "after realising I was unfit as a father for Abigail, I vowed not to have any more children... I couldn't do to another child what I'd done to her".

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Related Words

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