inability

CEFRB2

/ˌɪnəˈbɪlɪti/

noun

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    noun

    Lack of ability to do something.

  2. 02

    noun

    Extra detail

    Lack of the ability to do something; incapability.

Examples

  • I am impatient with his inability to make decisions.

  • I was surprised at her inability to do things promptly.

At a glance

Sits at B2 on the CEFR scale

Senses
3
Parts of speech
1
Citations
2
Synonyms
1

Deep Dive

noun

Extra meaning

  1. Lack of the option to do something; powerlessness.

More examples

In context

  • The government’s inability to provide basic services

  • […] tho' theſe ſeem'd to be very unfit Inſtruments for compaſſing of that great Deſign for which they were then employ'd, becauſe of their Inability and Uncapacity in performing the Work ſo very great and important; […]

Synonyms

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

His blank to read simple words showed he had a learning disorder.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

noun

From earlier inhability (“disqualification for office”), equivalent to in- + ability. Compare Middle French inhabilité, Medieval Latin inhabilitās.