unable
uhn-AYBL
Unable (adj) means not having the ability, power, or means to do something. Example: “He was unable to attend the meeting because of a flight delay.”
adj
1
Not having the ability, power, or means to do something.
"Are you unable to mind your own business or something?"
"He was unable to attend the meeting because of a flight delay."
"She felt unable to finish the marathon after twisting her ankle."
"Fulham switched off as Giggs took a quick corner to Valencia. He played it back to Giggs, whose cross was headed in by Nani with the lurking Rooney unable to add a touch."
— Tom Rostance, Fulham 0-5 Man Utd (2011)
"Mum was unable to open the jar, so she asked me for help."
How to use unable
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishLacking the power, skill, or opportunity to do something.
Common pairings
unable to attend
unable to speak
feel unable
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- unables
- Past tense
- unabled
- Comparative
- unabler, more unable
- Superlative
- unablest, most unable
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He was _____ to attend the meeting because of a flight delay.
Etymology
From Middle English unable, formed from un- ("not") plus able.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for unable
See all rhymes for unable →Frequently asked questions
What does “unable” mean?
The word “unable” means not having the ability, power, or means to do something. In plain terms, lacking the power, skill, or opportunity to do something.
How do you pronounce “unable”?
“Unable” is pronounced uhn-AYBL (/ʌnˈeɪbl̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “unable” in a sentence?
Here is “unable” used in a sentence: “He was unable to attend the meeting because of a flight delay.”
What is the opposite of “unable”?
The opposite of “unable” — its antonyms — is able.
What part of speech is “unable”?
“Unable” is an adjective.
Where does the word “unable” come from?
The word “unable” comes from Middle English. From Middle English unable, formed from un- ("not") plus able.
Is “unable” a common word?
“Unable” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between unable and disable?
Unable is an adjective describing a lack of ability — "I was unable to attend." Disable is a verb meaning to switch something off or take away a capability, as in "disable the alarm." The confusion comes from their shared root, but unable describes a state, while disable describes an action that causes one.
What is the opposite of unable?
The direct opposite is "able," meaning you have the ability, power, or means to do something. Other positives include capable and competent. Where unable signals a limit or barrier, able signals that the path is open. Simply removing the "un-" prefix flips the meaning entirely.
What is the difference between unable and incapable?
The two overlap, but unable often points to a specific situation — "unable to make it today" — while incapable suggests a broader, more lasting lack of ability, as in "incapable of lying." Being unable to do one thing does not make you incapable in general; incapable is the stronger, more sweeping word.
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