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incapablenot having the ability, skill, or quality necessary to do something

Part of speech: ADJECTIVE

Definition: not having the ability, skill, or quality necessary to do something

Pronunciation (IPA): /ɪnˈkeɪpəbəl/

Example Sentences

  • My cat is incapable of using chopsticks, but somehow always steals my sushi
  • He seems incapable of arriving on time for any appointment
  • I'm incapable of solving this math problem without a calculator

incapable

ADJECTIVE

[/ɪnˈkeɪpəbəl/]

not having the ability, skill, or quality necessary to do something

He was incapable of lifting the heavy box by himself.
💡 Concept

He was incapable of lifting the heavy box by himself.

The old computer was incapable of running modern software. (INABILITY + CAPABLE = INCAPABLE)
🧠 Mnemonic

The old computer was incapable of running modern software. (INABILITY + CAPABLE = INCAPABLE)

The unstable system became incapable of completing what once seemed impossible.
🎵 Rhyme

The unstable system became incapable of completing what once seemed impossible.

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ɪnˈkeɪpəbəl/
🇬🇧 UK/ɪnˈkeɪpəbəl/

🌳Etymology

Prefixin--
Rootcap
Suffix--able

Origin

Derived from 16th-century French, this word combines the negation prefix in- with capable, which evolved from Latin capere (to seize, take). The term literally means 'not able to' or 'lacking the ability to do something'.

Breakdown

in- (not, without) + capable (able to; from Latin capere, to seize or take).

🎵Rhyme

capableescapable
capable
escapable

🔗Collocations

incapable of doing
physically incapable
mentally incapable
incapable person
completely incapable
incapable of understanding
render incapable

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

My cat is incapable of using chopsticks, but somehow always steals my sushi

He seems incapable of arriving on time for any appointment

I'm incapable of solving this math problem without a calculator

My grandfather is incapable of sending a text message, but he's a master at fixing cars

📚Related Words

Synonyms

unableincompetentpowerlesshelplessinadequate

Antonyms

capablecompetentable

Related

inabilityincapacitydisabilityincompetence

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