Definitions for unable
ʌnˈeɪ bəlun·able

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:2.5 / 2 votes

1. unableadjective

   (usually followed by `to') not having the necessary means or skill or know-how

   "unable to get to town without a car"; "unable to obtain funds"

2. unable(p)adjective

   (usually followed by `to') lacking necessary physical or mental ability

   "dyslexics are unable to learn to read adequately"; "the sun was unable to melt enough snow"

3. ineffective, ineffectual, unableadjective

   lacking in power or forcefulness

   "an ineffectual ruler"; "like an unable phoenix in hot ashes"

WiktionaryRate this definition:5.0 / 1 vote

1. unableadjective

   Not able; lacking a certain ability.

Samuel Johnson's DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Unableadjective

   Etymology: from able.

   1. Not having ability.

   The Amalekites set on them, supposing that they had been weary, and unable to resist. Walter Raleigh, Hist. of the World.

   Zeal mov’d thee:
   To please thy gods thou didst it; gods unable
   T’ acquit themselves, and prosecute their foes. John Milton.

   The prince unable to conceal his pain,
   Gaz’d on the fair,
   And sigh’d, and look’d, and sigh’d again. Dryden.

   I intended to put it in practice, though far unable for the attempt of such a poem. Dryden.

   Man, under the disadvantages of a weak and fallen nature, was unable even to form an idea of happiness worthy his reasonable ambition. John Rogers, Sermons.

   2. Weak; impotent.

   A love that makes breath poor, and speech unable;
   Beyond all manner of so much I love you. William Shakespeare.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. unable

   Unable to do something or not having the ability, means, or strength to perform or accomplish a task, action, or function. It often implies a lack of physical capability, necessary skills, knowledge, or resources needed to carry out a particular activity.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Unableadjective

   not able; not having sufficient strength, means, knowledge, skill, or the like; impotent' weak; helpless; incapable; -- now usually followed by an infinitive or an adverbial phrase; as, unable for work; unable to bear fatigue

Chambers 20th Century DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Unable

   un-ā′bl, adj. not able: not having sufficient strength, power, or skill: weak: impotent.

British National Corpus

1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'unable' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #1600

2. Written Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'unable' in Written Corpus Frequency: #3582

3. Adjectives Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'unable' in Adjectives Frequency: #205

Anagrams for unable »

1. nebula

2. unbale

How to pronounce unable?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say unable in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of unable in Chaldean Numerology is: 4

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of unable in Pythagorean Numerology is: 1

Examples of unable in a Sentence

1. Sandra Windham:

   Parents constantly text kids throughout the day and kids get very anxious if they are unable to answer them, the content of the texts is almost never school related, though. Even during our state testing, when strict rules go into place about phone usage, parents call the school and demand their kids get their phone back. And when I call parents to report bad behavior or grades due to phone use, the phone is rarely taken away as a consequence.

2. Heidi Grant:

   If we are unable to meet this growing demand, we shoot ourselves in the foot.

3. John Hannah:

   Maintenance has long been an Achilles heel for the Iraqi security services, and they have been almost entirely dependent on the United States to keep their planes flying, the F-16s have been based at the Balad airfield, which has been regularly targeted with rockets and mortars by pro-Iranian militias. My view is that the F-16 program could be in serious trouble if the Iraqi government is unable or unwilling to fulfill its most basic international obligation to protect U.S. diplomats, troops, and contractors that theyve invited into their country.

4. Hisyam Teh:

   In the event she is unable to talk to media I will read out a statement from her.

5. Sharron Fast:

   Even Hong Kong -RSB- lawyers are unable to provide clear advice or guidelines on what would amount to an offense — the provisions are so broadly crafted that Hong Kong lawyers are capable of capturing even benign conduct such as slogans, censorship is coming.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=unable
2. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Unable
3. ^ Samuel Johnson's Dictionary
   https://johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/views/search.php?term=unable
4. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com
5. ^ Webster Dictionary
   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unable
6. ^ Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
   https://www.gutenberg.org/files/37683/37683-h/37683-h.htm#:~:text=unable