unfit
uhn-FIHT
Unfit (adj) means not suitable or qualified for a particular purpose or role. Example: “The judge ruled him unfit to stand trial.”
adj
1
Not suitable or qualified for a particular purpose or role.
"The judge ruled him unfit to stand trial."
"The old bridge was declared unfit for heavy traffic."
2
Not in good physical condition.
"Years of desk work had left him badly unfit."
How to use unfit
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot suitable for something, or not physically healthy.
Common mistake
British English often uses "unfit" for poor physical condition ("I'm so unfit"), a sense less common in American English, which tends to say "out of shape."
Common pairings
unfit for purpose
unfit to drive
physically unfit
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- unfits
- Past tense
- unfitted
- Comparative
- unfitter, more unfit
- Superlative
- unfittest, most unfit
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The judge ruled him _____ to stand trial.
Etymology
From un- + fit.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “unfit” mean?
The word “unfit” means not suitable or qualified for a particular purpose or role. In plain terms, not suitable for something, or not physically healthy.
How do you pronounce “unfit”?
“Unfit” is pronounced uhn-FIHT (/ʌnˈfɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “unfit” in a sentence?
Here is “unfit” used in a sentence: “The judge ruled him unfit to stand trial.”
What part of speech is “unfit”?
“Unfit” is an adjective.
Is “unfit” a common word?
“Unfit” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “unfit” have?
“Unfit” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: not suitable or qualified for a particular purpose or role.
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