unable
English
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ʌnˈeɪbəl/
Audio (US) (file) - Rhymes: -eɪbəl
Etymology 1
From Middle English unable, unabel, unhable, unhabil, equivalent to un- + able.
Adjective
unable (comparative unabler or more unable, superlative unablest or most unable)
- Not able; lacking a certain ability.
- 2011 December 21, Tom Rostance, “Fulham 0-5 Man Utd”, in BBC Sport:
- 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.
- 2013 June 28, Joris Luyendijk, “Our banks are out of control”, in The Guardian Weekly, volume 189, number 3, page 21:
- Seeing the British establishment struggle with the financial sector is like watching an alcoholic […]. Until 2008 there was denial over what finance had become. […] But the scandals kept coming, […]. A broad section of the political class now recognises the need for change but remains unable to see the necessity of a fundamental overhaul.
- Are you unable to mind your own business or something?
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Antonyms
Translations
Etymology 2
From Middle English unablen, equivalent to un- + able.
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