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incapability

UK:**UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations/ɪnˌkeɪpəˈbɪlɪti/US:USA pronunciation: IPAUSA pronunciation: IPA/ɪnˌkeɪpəˈbɪlɪti/


WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
in•ca•pa•ble /ɪnˈkeɪpəbəl/USA pronunciation   adj. 
  1. not having the necessary ability, qualification, or strength to perform some function:[be + ~ + of]incapable of doing such a difficult thing.
  2. lacking ordinary capability; incompetent:incapable management.
in•ca•pa•bil•i•ty /ɪnˌkeɪpəˈbɪlɪti/USA pronunciation  n. [uncountable]
in•ca•pa•bly, adv. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
in•ca•pa•ble  (in kā′pə bəl),USA pronunciation adj. 
  1. not capable.
  2. not having the necessary ability, qualification, or strength to perform some specified act or function:As an administrator, he is simply incapable.
  3. without ordinary capability;
    incompetent.
  4. Idioms incapable of:
    • not having the ability, qualification, or strength for (a specified act or function).
    • not open to;
      not susceptible to or admitting:These materials are incapable of exact measurement.
    • Lawlegally unqualified for.

n. 
  1. a thoroughly incompetent person, esp. one of defective mentality.
  • Late Latin incapābilis. See in-3, capable
  • 1585–95
in•ca′pa•bil′i•ty, in•ca′pa•ble•ness, n. 
in•ca′pa•bly, adv. 
    1. Incapable, incompetent, inefficient, unable are applied to a person or thing that is lacking in ability, preparation, or power for whatever is to be done. Incapable usually means inherently lacking in ability or power:incapable of appreciating music; a bridge incapable of carrying heavy loads.Incompetent, generally used only of persons, means unfit or unqualified for a particular task:incompetent as an administrator.Inefficient means wasteful in the use of effort or power:an inefficient manager; inefficient methods.Unable usually refers to a temporary condition of inability to do some specific thing:unable to relax, to go to a concert. 2. impotent, unqualified.
    1. able.
'incapability' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
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