unsuitable
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of unsuitable
Explanation
Something that's unsuitable doesn't work well or is out of place. A kitchen knife is unsuitable for sawing firewood. You can use the adjective unsuitable to describe something that isn't well suited for a use: flip flops are unsuitable shoes to wear in a blizzard. It's also a good word for something that's disappointing or undesirable: "No, that guy in the clown suit would be a completely unsuitable boyfriend for me." At the root of unsuitable is the meaning of suit, "be agreeable or convenient," that's thought to come from "provide a suit of clothes."
Vocabulary lists containing unsuitable
"The Bet" by Anton Chekhov
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Stuart Little
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Way Off: Synonyms for "Wrong"
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
As a result, “Lion” is not unsuitable viewing for kids, although there will be a “Bambi” moment, if you know what I mean.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 18, 2026
Although many tool compounds are unsuitable for use as medicines because they may affect unintended targets or cause toxicity, they are still highly valuable for investigating what a protein does.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 3, 2026
Concerns about unsuitable weather patterns and reduced supplies of fertilizer components from the Middle East are helping push grain prices up, too.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 24, 2026
Davies said other factors included drivers relying on car sat-navs, unsuitable diversion routes and, in some cases, motorists deciding to "take a chance".
From BBC ● Jul. 5, 2026
Then she has the nerve to tell me that my plain taffeta dress is unsuitable for the Tropicana.
From "Dreaming in Cuban" by Cristina García
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
