INCAPABLE

incapable, incompetent, unequal to

(adjective) not meeting requirements; “unequal to the demands put upon him”

incapable

(adjective) (followed by ‘of’) lacking capacity or ability; “incapable of carrying a tune”; “he is incapable of understanding the matter”; “incapable of doing the work”

incapable

(adjective) (followed by ‘of’) not having the temperament or inclination for; “simply incapable of lying”

incapable

(adjective) not being susceptible to or admitting of something (usually followed by ‘of’); “incapable of solution”

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Adjective

incapable (comparative more incapable, superlative most incapable)

Not capable (of doing something); unable.

Not in a state to receive; not receptive; not susceptible; not able to admit.

Synonyms

• (not capable): unable

• (not in a state to receive): refusing

Antonyms

• capable

Noun

incapable (plural incapables)

(dated) One who is morally or mentally weak or inefficient; an imbecile; a simpleton.

Source: Wiktionary


In*ca"pa*ble, a. Etym: [Pref. in- not + capable: cf. F. incapable, L. incapabilis incomprehensible.]

1. Wanting in ability or qualification for the purpose or end in view; not large enough to contain or hold; deficient in physical strength, mental or moral power, etc.; not capable; as, incapable of holding a certain quantity of liquid; incapable of endurance, of comprehension, of perseverance, of reform, etc.

2. Not capable of being brought to do or perform, because morally strong or well disposed; -- used with reference to some evil; as, incapable of wrong, dishonesty, or falsehood.

3. Not in a state to receive; not receptive; not susceptible; not able to admit; as, incapable of pain, or pleasure; incapable of stain or injury.

4. (Law)

Definition: Unqualified or disqualified, in a legal sense; as, a man under thirty-five years of age is incapable of holding the office of president of the United States; a person convicted on impeachment is thereby made incapable of holding an office of profit or honor under the government.

5. (Mil.)

Definition: As a term of disgrace, sometimes annexed to a sentence when an officer has been cashiered and rendered incapable of serving his country.

Note: Incapable is often used elliptically. Is not your father grown incapable of reasonable affairs Shak.

Syn.

– Incompetent; unfit; unable; insufficient; inadequate; deficient; disqualified. See Incompetent.

In*ca"pa*ble, n.

Definition: One who is morally or mentally weak or inefficient; an imbecile; a simpleton.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

4 June 2025

LEND

(verb) bestow a quality on; “Her presence lends a certain cachet to the company”; “The music added a lot to the play”; “She brings a special atmosphere to our meetings”; “This adds a light note to the program”


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Coffee Trivia

According to Guinness World Records, the largest collection of coffee pots belongs to Robert Dahl (Germany) and consists of 27,390 coffee pots as of 2 November 2012, in Rövershagen, Germany.

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