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. Secretary Jeh Johnson:

   We're unable to do some of the things that the Secret Service, independent panel has recommended for the Secret Service, we're unable to hire for upcoming presidential elections cycle. We're unable to fund new non-disaster grants to many of the people in this room in uniform. We're unable to fund state and local law enforcement with our grants as long as we are on a continuing resolution.

2. Aristotle:

   He who is unable to live in society, or who has no need because he is sufficient for himself, must be either a beast or a god.

3. Stacie McQuinn:

   We are unable to visit our loved ones, and unable to hug them, give a kiss, hold their hand, we are unable to pick up the phone and say 'Hi, how are you doing?' We are unable to write them ... So the defendant should not be able to have any of those things.

4. G. K. Chesterton:

   It is not bigotry to be certain we are right but it is bigotry to be unable to imagine how we might possibly have gone wrong.

5. Lewis Thomas:

   We are, perhaps, uniquely among the earth's creatures, the worrying animal. We worry away our lives, fearing the future, discontent with the present, unable to take in the idea of dying, unable to sit still.

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