Word
unworkable
Phoneticsun·work·able
US/ənˈwɝkəbəɫ/
UK/ʌnwˈɜːkəbəl/
Definition
adj. not able to work in real life. You use it for a plan, rule, or system that cannot succeed, even if it sounds fine on paper.
adj. incapable of functioning successfully in practice; not feasible as a plan, system, or arrangement. Often modified by degree adverbs such as 'entirely', 'largely', or 'simply'.
Examples
“This schedule is unworkable for parents with small kids.”
“The proposed night-shift rota is unworkable because the team lacks enough drivers to cover weekends.”
“What looked fair on paper became unworkable in practice, as conflicting deadlines forced departments to compete for the same limited staff.”
Examples
simple
“This schedule is unworkable for parents with small kids.”
contextual
“The proposed night-shift rota is unworkable because the team lacks enough drivers to cover weekends.”
complex
“What looked fair on paper became unworkable in practice, as conflicting deadlines forced departments to compete for the same limited staff.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “unworkable” in context.
Verb
01. become unworkable
“The rota became unworkable after three nurses left.”
verb + adj
02. consider unworkable
“Most teachers consider the new curriculum unworkable.”
verb + adj
03. prove unworkable
“The first peace plan proved unworkable and was quickly abandoned.”
verb + adj
04. render unworkable
“Staff shortages would render the proposal unworkable.”
verb + adj
Adjective
05. completely unworkable
“The original timetable was completely unworkable with only two buses.”
adv + adj
06. fundamentally unworkable
“The system is fundamentally unworkable without proper funding.”
adv + adj
07. practically unworkable
“The new rule is practically unworkable for small businesses.”
adv + adj
08. a completely unworkable plan
“The original schedule was a completely unworkable plan for winter.”
09. dismiss the proposal as unworkable
“The council dismissed the proposal as unworkable due to high costs.”
10. make the scheme unworkable
“New safety rules would make the scheme unworkable for volunteers.”
11. prove unworkable in practice
“The rota looked fair on paper but proved unworkable in practice.”
12. render the system unworkable
“Huge budget cuts would render the system unworkable within months.”
Usage
Used both attributively before nouns such as 'plan' or 'solution' and predicatively after 'be', 'become', or 'prove'.
Real-World Examples
“Government plans to ban migrants from re-entering the UK if they cross the Channel in small boats are unworkable and will leave thousands of people in limbo, refugee groups have said.” “The SCCS, whose recommendations Reuters was first to report in October, recommended that 12 substances used in hundreds of perfumes on the market today be limited to 0.01 percent of the finished product, a level perfume makers say is unworkable.” Etymology
From un- + workable.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/unworkable