If you are unableto do something, it is impossible for you to do it, for example because you do not have the necessary skill or knowledge, or because you do not have enough time or money.
She felt unable to concentrate on anything but the pain.
Unable any longer to keep from breaking in she said, 'I simply cannot believe you'reserious.'
Synonyms: incapable, inadequate, powerless, unfit More Synonyms of unable
unable in British English
(ʌnˈeɪbəl)
adjective
1. (postpositive; foll byto)
lacking the necessary power, ability, or authority (to do something); not able
2. archaic
incompetent
unable in American English
(ʌnˈeɪbəl)
adjective
1.
not able; lacking the ability, means, or power to do something
2.
incompetent
3.
helpless; feeble
More idioms containing
unable
be unable to get your tongue round something
Examples of 'unable' in a sentence
unable
The star trio are then unable to find the required space to be effective.
The Sun (2016)
They understandably feel unable to serve in his shadow cabinet.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Sufferers may feel unable or unwilling to face work.
The Sun (2016)
But poor record keeping by some providers meant many women were unable to find out if they had them.
The Sun (2016)
The report also recommends more support for new head teachers who abruptly find themselves unable to confide in junior colleagues.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Unable to keep her bottles down, she lost so much weight that she was admitted to hospital.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
A government source said he had been sent to the centre because officials had been unable to find enough volunteers.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
I had entered my address on the app yet he seemed unable to find me for 15 minutes.
The Sun (2016)
Being so hard on yourself, feeling unable to let this go, may be a lot to do with what drives you.
The Sun (2016)
Entrants unable to attend the finals may be replaced.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Friends and family have been unable to shed any light on their disappearance.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Without our help victims and their families may feel unable to face the ordeal of court.
The Sun (2010)
Why have they been unable to accept her as a woman?
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The reason that she has been unable to keep them was not made clear.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They have been unable to find a photograph of his wife.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Friends and family have been unable to contact him.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
PwC had said already that it was unable to accept or refund vouchers.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Sometimes satire is unable to keep pace with real life.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
His young companion was unable to keep the food down.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Shop assistants may encourage you to use this form of payment if they feel you are unable to pay cash.
Tondeur, Keith Say Goodbye to Debt (1994)
But she was unable to attend.
Jonathan Gregson BLOOD AGAINST THE SNOWS: The Tragic Story of Nepal's Royal Dynasty (2002)
It will also work against those who genuinely need to sell concert tickets at short notice because they are unable to attend.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The problem was that he barely saw his family and was unable to engage fully with his church and youth group activities.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
In reality, the brothers will probably be unable to accept such a triangular arrangement.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Extreme, prolonged sadness can reach a point where friends and family are unable to help.
Claudia Hammond EMOTIONAL ROLLERCOASTER: A Journey Through the Science of Feelings (2005)
He was unable to accept the social chapter in the draft Treaty.
Redwood, John The Global Marketplace (1993)
He said that illegal images appearing on websites would not be such a problem if people were unable to find them through search engines.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
I feel therefore unable to continue in the post.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Because of these problems, she was unable to attend most of her classes and lost credit for the term.
Randolph, Theron G. & Moss, Ralph W. (contributor) An Alternative Approach to Allergies (1990)
That in itself will trigger profoundly upsetting and painful emotions, particularly as you feel unable to talk to anybody.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
She had been unable to attend her appointment because of haemorrhaging and lack of money, and was worried about her eyes.
Turner, Janine Behind Closed Doors - advice for families with violence in the home (1988)
In other languages
unable
British English: unable /ʌnˈeɪbl/ ADJECTIVE
If you are unable to do something, it is impossible for you to do it.
I was unable to accept the invitation.
American English: unable to
Arabic: عَاجِز عَنْ
Brazilian Portuguese: incapaz de
Chinese: 不能的
Croatian: nesposoban
Czech: neschopný něco udělat
Danish: ude af stand til
Dutch: niet in staat
European Spanish: incapaz de
Finnish: kykenemätön
French: incapable de
German: außerstande
Greek: μη δυνάμενος να
Italian: incapace
Japanese: ･･･できない
Korean: ...할 수 없는
Norwegian: ute av stand til
Polish: niezdolny do
European Portuguese: incapaz de
Romanian: incapabil
Russian: неспособный
Latin American Spanish: incapaz de
Swedish: inte kunna
Thai: ไม่สามารถที่จะ
Turkish: yapamamak
Ukrainian: нездатний
Vietnamese: không thể
British English: unable ADJECTIVE
If you are unable to do something, you are not able to do it.
After the car accident, he was unable to walk.
American English: unable
Brazilian Portuguese: inapto
Chinese: 不能做到的
European Spanish: incapaz
French: incapable
German: unfähig
Italian: non in grado
Japanese: できない
Korean: ~할 능력이 없는
European Portuguese: inapto
Latin American Spanish: incapaz
Chinese translation of 'unable'
unable
(ʌnˈeɪbl)
adj
to be unable to do sth不能做某事 (bùnéng zuò mǒushì)
(adjective)
Definition
not having the power, ability, or authority to
The military may feel unable to hand over power.
Synonyms
incapable
He lost his job allegedly for being incapable.
inadequate
She felt quite painfully inadequate in the crisis.
powerless
unfit
They were utterly unfit to govern America.
unfitted
not able
impotent
Bullies can leave people feeling hurt, angry and impotent.
not up to
unqualified
She was unqualified for the job.
ineffectual
The ill-advised and ineffectual policies
not equal to
Opposites
able
,
effective
,
capable
,
powerful
,
adequate
,
potent
,
competent
, adept
Additional synonyms
in the sense of impotent
Definition
not having the power to influence people or events
Bullies can leave people feeling hurt, angry and impotent.
Synonyms
powerless,
weak,
helpless,
unable,
incapable,
paralysed,
frail,
incompetent,
ineffective,
feeble,
incapacitated,
infirm,
nerveless,
enervated
in the sense of inadequate
Definition
not good enough
She felt quite painfully inadequate in the crisis.