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unfit

adj. · v.
US //ənˈfɪt// UK //ʌnfˈɪt// un·fit
  1. 1 not physically healthy (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    not healthy or strong because you do not exercise enough.

    lacking physical fitness or conditioning; out of shape.

    Example

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

    Example

    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.

  2. 2 unsuitable or low quality (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

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

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

    Example

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

    Example

    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.

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  1. 3 to make unsuitable (v.)
    C2 Proficiency Formal Literary

    to make someone or something not suitable for a task.

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

    Example

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

    Example

    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.

Origin

From un- + fit.

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