incapable

in-ca-pa-ble · adjective

imported

Definitions

adjective

  1. 1.

    Lacking the ability, qualification, or capacity to do something.

  2. 2.

    Not able to behave or function in a certain way.

  3. 3.

    (Law) Lacking legal qualification or power.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    incapable of — lacking the ability to do something
  • •
    mentally incapable — lacking mental capacity for certain tasks
  • •
    incapable hands — people who are not competent

Related words

Antonyms: able, capable, competent
See also: capable, incapacity, unable
Synonyms: incompetent, powerless, unable, unfit

Etymology

From French incapable, from Medieval Latin incapabilis, from Latin in- ("not") + capabilis ("able to hold"), from capere ("to take").