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
1
Describing a medical condition too advanced or dangerous to be treated by surgery.
"The tumor was deemed inoperable, so doctors turned to chemotherapy."
2
Not able to function or work.
"The old machine has been inoperable for years."
How to use inoperable
Learner’s notesIn 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.
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for inoperable
See all rhymes for inoperable →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.
