# inability

Pronunciation: say "in-uh-BIL-i-tee" /ˌɪnəˈbɪlɪti/

## Noun

1. The lack of the ability to do something; the condition of being incapable.
   - Simple: The state of not being able to do something.
   - _The team's inability to communicate clearly led to repeated mistakes on the project._
   - _Despite years of lessons, his inability to carry a tune never improved._
2. The lack of any option or power to do something; the condition of being powerless.
   - Simple: The state of having no choice or power to do something.
   - _Renters often resent their inability to make permanent changes to an apartment they pay for._
   - _The committee's inability to overturn the ruling left its members deeply frustrated._

## Origin

From earlier "inhability" (meaning disqualification for office), equivalent to "in-" plus "ability." Compare Middle French "inhabilité" and Medieval Latin "inhabilitās."

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/inability (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).