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

Usage in printed sourcesFrom: 

1. 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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. Richard Achiro:

   What are these men compensating for ? Feelings of impotence in relationships, work life or both ? it’s an underlying behavior men know is problematic, but are unable to change because so few of us men are open to addressing our emotional worlds and sense of inadequacy.

2. The Red:

   We urge people along Gulf Coast to get ready now ; listen to the advice of local officials and evacuate immediately if asked, make sure to include your pets as part of your emergency plan. Due to COVID-19, the Red Cross is unable to welcome pets into our shelters for everyone's safety. If you are evacuating with pets, please consider contacting the Red Rover organization : redrover.org.

3. Ronald Reagan:

   Some of your countrymen were unable to distinguish between their native dislike for war and the stainless patriotism of those who suffered its scars. But there has been a rethinking and now we can say to you, and say as a nation, thank you for your courage.

4. Lin Zuoming:

   The next-generation air forces that are unable to buy the F-35 have no way to build themselves up. We don't believe the situation should be that way, this world should be balanced.

5. John Leddy:

   We don’t know for sure what the cause of difficulty with concentration and memory in school is but a common report is that of cognitive intolerance ; that is, students can not do their work for sustained periods of time before becoming very fatigued and thus unable to process new information, academic problems likely reflect an issue of cognitive intolerance due to an inefficient brain after concussion.

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
7. ^ Usage in printed sources
   https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=unable