INCAPABLE Definition & Meaning

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incapable

[ in-key-puh-buhl ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

not capable.
Antonyms:
not having the necessary ability, qualification, or strength to perform some specified act or function:
As an administrator, he is simply incapable.
Synonyms: ,
without ordinary capability; incompetent.

noun

a thoroughly incompetent person, especially one of defective mentality.

incapable

/ ɪ��ˈ��ɪ��ə��ə�� /

adjective

whenpostpositive, often foll by of not capable (of); lacking the ability (to)
powerless or helpless, as through injury or intoxication
postpositivefoll byof not susceptible (to); not admitting (of)
a problem incapable of solution

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Derived Forms

��ˈ��貹��, adverb
��ˌ��貹ˈ��ٲ�, noun

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Other �y��vlogs From

��·��p��·��i·�ٲ� ��·��p��·��·�Ա�� noun
��·��p��·�� adverb

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of incapable¹

From the Late Latin word ��Գ��, dating back to 1585–95. See in- ³, capable

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Idioms and Phrases

incapable of,
1. not having the ability, qualification, or strength for (a specified act or function).
2. not open to; not susceptible to or admitting:
  These materials are incapable of exact measurement.
3. legally unqualified for.

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Synonym Study

Incapable, incompetent, inefficient, unable are applied to a person or thing that is lacking in ability, preparation, or power for whatever is to be done. Incapable usually means inherently lacking in ability or power: incapable of appreciating music; a bridge incapable of carrying heavy loads. Incompetent, generally used only of persons, means unfit or unqualified for a particular task: incompetent as an administrator. Inefficient means wasteful in the use of effort or power: an inefficient manager; inefficient methods. Unable usually refers to a temporary condition of inability to do some specific thing: unable to relax, to go to a concert.

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Example Sentences

The alleged attack showed Zelensky was "incapable of sticking to agreements", Russia's defence ministry said.

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Power of attorney is designed to allow trusted people to manage money and personal needs if someone becomes incapable of dealing with these matters themselves.

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All these ideas play into the way fascist leaders are, and they render their folks incapable of making rational decisions.

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Or, you could also realize he’s incapable of having more than one thought on his mind.

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The apartment belongs to Booth, who doesn’t work and seems incapable of holding down a job.

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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