adj

inoperable

Inoperable (adj) means describing a medical condition too advanced or dangerous to be treated by surgery. Example: “The tumor was deemed inoperable, so doctors turned to chemotherapy.”

adj

Describing a medical condition too advanced or dangerous to be treated by surgery.

"The tumor was deemed inoperable, so doctors turned to chemotherapy."

Not able to function or work.

"The old machine has been inoperable for years."

How to use inoperable

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither "cannot be operated on" (medically) or "does not work" (mechanically).

Common mistake

In medical contexts inoperable almost always means the condition, not the patient, cannot be treated surgically.

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The tumor was deemed _____, so doctors turned to chemotherapy.

Etymology

Formed from in- ("not") plus operable.

Rhymes for inoperable

able fable cable table viable liable stable tenable parable affable amiable notable

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Frequently asked questions

What does “inoperable” mean?

The word “inoperable” means describing a medical condition too advanced or dangerous to be treated by surgery. In plain terms, either "cannot be operated on" (medically) or "does not work" (mechanically).

How do you use “inoperable” in a sentence?

Here is “inoperable” used in a sentence: “The tumor was deemed inoperable, so doctors turned to chemotherapy.”

What part of speech is “inoperable”?

“Inoperable” is an adjective.

How many meanings does “inoperable” have?

“Inoperable” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: describing a medical condition too advanced or dangerous to be treated by surgery.