# unable

Pronunciation: say "un-AY-buhl" /ʌnˈeɪbl̩/

## Adjective

1. Lacking the ability, power, or opportunity to do something.
   - Simple: Not having the power, skill, or chance to do something.
   - _He felt unable to express how grateful he really was._
   - _Many residents were unable to leave the flooded town in time._

## Other meanings

- (interjection) Used, especially in radio communication, to indicate that a requested action cannot be carried out.
- (verb) To deprive a person or thing of the ability to act or function; to disable.

## Origin

From Middle English unable (also spelled unabel, unhable, unhabil), formed from un- plus able.

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