ENGLISH
REFERENCE

unable

adj.
B1 Intermediate Oxford US //əˈneɪbəɫ// UK //ʌnˈeɪbəl// un·able Dialect General-service

adj. not having the power, skill, or chance to do something. You use it when you cannot complete an action.

adj. lacking the necessary power, ability, or resources to perform a specific action.


SIMPLE

She is unable to attend the meeting today.

CONTEXTUAL

The pilot was unable to land the plane because of the thick fog covering the runway.

COMPLEX

Despite several attempts to restart the server, the technical team remained unable to restore the database before the morning shift began.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Etymology 1

From Middle English unable, unabel, unhable, unhabil, equivalent to un- + able.

Etymology 2

From Middle English unablen, equivalent to un- + able.

Usage

Always followed by a 'to' infinitive when describing the action that cannot be performed.

Pitfall

I am unable of goingI am unable to goUnlike the noun 'inability' or the adjective 'incapable', 'unable' must be followed by a 'to' infinitive, not 'of' + gerund.

© 2026 English Reference