Unable Meaning
/ʌnˈeɪbl̩/Definition, CEFR level A2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
adjNot able; lacking a certain ability.
intjIndicating that a requested course of action is not possible to carry out.
Sentence Examples
I tried to reach you on the phone, but I was unable to get through.
We were unable to follow his logic.
A former soldier who has been unable to find work since the war ended
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
CEFR Practice Quiz
After breaking his leg in the accident, he was ____ to walk without the help of crutches for weeks.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
He was ____ to attend the meeting this morning because he had to stay at home and look after his sick child today.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English unable, unabel, unhable, unhabil, equivalent to un- + able.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Fulham switched off as Giggs took a quick corner to Valencia. He played it back to Giggs, whose cross was headed in by Nani with the lurking Rooney unable to add a touch."
— 2011 December 21, Tom Rostance, “Fulham 0-5 Man Utd”, in BBC Sport:
"Seeing the British establishment struggle with the financial sector is like watching an alcoholic […]. Until 2008 there was denial over what finance had become. […] But the scandals kept coming, […]. A broad section of the political class now recognises the need for change but remains unable to see the necessity of a fundamental overhaul."
— 2013 June 28, Joris Luyendijk, “Our banks are out of control”, in The Guardian Weekly, volume 189, number 3, page 21:
"The train operating company owning group warned in early December that it was unable to publish its results for the year to July 3 2021, following an investigation into the running of Southeastern, which was stripped of its franchise in October [...]."
— 2022 January 12, “Network News: Trading of Go-Ahead Group shares halted”, in RAIL, number 948, page 7:
Explore More A2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
After breaking his leg in the accident, he was ____ to walk without the help of crutches for weeks.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
He was ____ to attend the meeting this morning because he had to stay at home and look after his sick child today.