If someone is unfit for something, he or she is unable to do it because of injury or illness.
He had a third examination and was declared unfit for duty. [+ for]
Mr Abel's doctor has said he is unfit to travel.
3. adjective [ADJECTIVE to-infinitive]
If you say that someone or something is unfit for a particular purpose or job, you are criticizing them because they are not good enough for that purpose or job.
[disapproval]
Existing houses are becoming totally unfit for human habitation. [+ for]
They were utterly unfit to govern America.
She is an unfit mother.
Synonyms: incapable, inadequate, incompetent, no good More Synonyms of unfit
More Synonyms of unfit
unfit in British English
(ʌnˈfɪt)
adjective
1. (postpositive; often foll byfor)
unqualified, incapable, or incompetent
unfit for military service
2. (postpositive; often foll byfor)
unsuitable or inappropriate
the ground was unfit for football
3.
in poor physical condition
Derived forms
unfitness (unˈfitness)
noun
unfit in American English
(ʌnˈfɪt)
adjective
1.
not meeting requirements; not suitable or qualified
2.
not physically or mentally fit or sound
3.
not adapted or fitted for a given purpose
verb transitiveWord forms: unˈfitted or unˈfitting
4.
to make unfit; disqualify or incapacitate
Derived forms
unfitly (unˈfitly)
adverb
unfitness (unˈfitness)
noun
Examples of 'unfit' in a sentence
unfit
For how long do we keep dismissing the whole body as unfit for purpose?
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
If he is a driving instructor then he's clearly unfit for that role.
The Sun (2017)
Too many of those called to the recruiting offices were deemed unfit for duty.
The Sun (2014)
One purchaser complained that the beef he had just bought was unfit for human consumption.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Thirty people claimed they were unfit to work because of blisters.
The Sun (2013)
The family has been staying in emergency accommodation because their house is unfit for habitation.
The Sun (2007)
That alone makes her unfit for the job she clings on to.
The Sun (2009)
This ace was unfit for purpose but he still wanted to be taken to the party.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
It means many unfit mothers are given a string of second chances.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
People are all out of condition and unfit.
The Sun (2009)
Any unit will have a small proportion of its strength unfit for duty at any given time.
Richard Holmes Dusty Warriors: Modern Soldiers at War (2006)
She became unfit to work as a driver.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Our justice system is unfit for purpose.
The Sun (2016)
By her actions she proves herself to be an unfit mother.
The Sun (2010)
It is thought only half a million are seriously disabled and unfit to work.
The Sun (2006)
It is clear to many experts that annuities are unfit for purpose in their current form.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Where houses are unfit for human habitation there is a clear risk to the health of the occupants.
Brown, Muriel & Payne Sarah Introduction to Social Administration in Britain (1990)
The most obvious of these powers is that of the demolition and clearance of housing that is deemed unfit for human habitation.
Brown, Muriel & Payne Sarah Introduction to Social Administration in Britain (1990)
He was expecting the striker to be passed unfit by doctors before flying back to England.
The Sun (2009)
Or if you insist on driving when you're clearly medically unfit to do so.
The Sun (2011)
He disliked this operation that he considered was a police job, unfit for soldiers.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Missing a murder and one giant clue, he is clearly unfit for promotion.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Now no man who has a certain duty to perform, can lawfully do that which renders him unfit for that duty.
Kishlansky, Mark A. (editor) Sources of the West: Readings in Western Civilization, Volume 1: From the Beginningto 1715 (1995)
A new leader riding that mood, but considered unfit for the job by his senior colleagues.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Just as well, though: it was probably unfit for public consumption.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
In other languages
unfit
British English: unfit /ʌnˈfɪt/ ADJECTIVE
If you are unfit, your body is not in good condition because you have not been taking regular exercise.
Many children are so unfit they cannot do even basic exercises.
American English: unfit
Arabic: غَيْرُ صِحِّيّ
Brazilian Portuguese: impróprio
Chinese: 不太健康的
Croatian: bez kondicije
Czech: nezpůsobilý
Danish: uegnet
Dutch: in slechte conditie
European Spanish: en baja forma
Finnish: sopimaton
French: inapte
German: ungeeignet
Greek: ακατάλληλος
Italian: inadatto
Japanese: 不向きな
Korean: 부적당한
Norwegian: uegnet
Polish: niedysponowany
European Portuguese: impróprio
Romanian: lipsit de antrenament
Russian: неподходящий
Latin American Spanish: inepto
Swedish: i dålig kondition
Thai: ไม่มีคุณสมบัติ
Turkish: sağlıksız
Ukrainian: непридатний
Vietnamese: không phù hợp
Chinese translation of 'unfit'
unfit
(ʌnˈfɪt)
adj
(physically) 不太健康的 (bù tài jiànkāng de)
to be unfit for sth/to do sth不胜(勝)任某事/不适(適)合做某事 (bù shèngrèn mǒushì/bù shìhé zuò mǒushì)
unfit for work身体(體)不佳无(無)法工作 (shēntǐ bù jiā wúfǎ gōngzuò)
unfit for human consumption不宜给(給)人食用 (bùyí gěi rén shíyòng)
1 (adjective)
Definition
in poor physical condition
I feel so unfit after my holiday, I need to go back to the gym.
Synonyms
out of shape
I took some classes so I didn't get out of shape.
feeble
While I was ill I was too feeble to even stand.
unhealthy
a poorly dressed, unhealthy looking fellow with a poor complexion
debilitated
flabby
bulging thighs and flabby stomach
decrepit
in poor condition
out of trim
out of kilter
Opposites
fit
,
healthy
,
in good condition
,
well
,
strong
,
sturdy
2 (adjective)
Definition
unqualified for or incapable of a particular role or task
They were utterly unfit to govern America.
Synonyms
incapable
He lost his job allegedly for being incapable.
inadequate
She felt quite painfully inadequate in the crisis.
incompetent
Lazy and incompetent workers were allowed to coast along.
no good
useless (informal)
He was useless at any game with a ball.
not up to
unprepared
ineligible
They were ineligible to remain there because of criminal records.
unqualified
She was unqualified for the job.
untrained
It is nonsense to say we have untrained staff dealing with emergencies.
ill-equipped
not equal
not cut out
Opposites
able
,
qualified
,
capable
,
equipped
,
competent
,
ready
3 (adjective)
Definition
unsuitable
I can show them plenty of houses unfit for human habitation.
Synonyms
unsuitable
Amy's shoes were unsuitable for walking any distance.
inadequate
inappropriate
Some clients had been sold inappropriate polices.
useless
not fit
not designed
unsuited
ill-adapted
Opposites
appropriate,
suitable
,
acceptable
,
adequate
Additional synonyms
in the sense of feeble
Definition
lacking in physical or mental strength
While I was ill I was too feeble to even stand.
Synonyms
weak,
failing,
exhausted,
weakened,
delicate,
faint,
powerless,
frail,
debilitated,
sickly,
languid,
puny,
weedy (informal),
infirm,
effete,
enfeebled,
doddering,
enervated,
etiolated,
shilpit (Scottish)
in the sense of flabby
Definition
loose or limp
bulging thighs and flabby stomach
Synonyms
limp,
hanging,
loose,
slack,
unfit,
sagging,
sloppy,
baggy,
floppy,
lax,
drooping,
flaccid,
pendulous (literary),
toneless,
yielding
in the sense of inadequate
Definition
not good enough
She felt quite painfully inadequate in the crisis.