English Reference
adjective · verb

unfit

adj. · v.
US /ənˈfɪt/ UK /ʌnfˈɪt/ un·fit UK spelling unfits

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    adj.not healthy or strong because you do not exercise enough.

    adj.lacking physical fitness or conditioning; out of shape.

    Simple

    He felt very unfit after taking a break from the gym for three months.

    In context

    The medical report suggested that the patient was dangerously unfit, exhibiting a resting heart rate significantly higher than the average for his age group.

    Usage

    Often used to describe a temporary state resulting from a lack of exercise.

    out of shapeunhealthy
  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate

    adj.not good enough or not suitable for a particular job or purpose.

    adj.inappropriate or unsuitable for a specific purpose, often due to poor quality or lack of qualifications.

    Simple

    The old house was declared unfit for people to live in.

    In context

    The committee deemed the candidate unfit for the leadership role, citing a lack of experience in international relations.

    Usage

    Commonly appears in the phrase 'unfit for' followed by a noun or a gerund.

  3. 03 C2 Proficiency FormalLiterary

    v.to make someone or something not suitable for a task.

    v.to render someone or something unsuitable or disqualified for a particular purpose.

    Simple

    His lack of patience might unfit him for a job as a teacher.

    In context

    The trauma of the event threatened to unfit her for any further diplomatic service in the region.

    Usage

    This transitive verb is rare in modern speech and is mostly found in formal or older literature.

    disqualifyincapacitate

Travel editor Rory Boland said its checks had been shown to be "unfit for purpose".

BBC News· 2 Sept 2026

From un- + fit.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated