incapable

adjective

in·​ca·​pa·​ble (ˌ)in-ˈkā-pə-bəl 

1

: lacking capacity, ability, or qualification for the purpose or end in view: such as

a

: not able or fit for the doing or performance : incompetent

b

: not being in a state or of a kind to admit : insusceptible

c

archaic : not able to take in, hold, or keep

d

archaic : not receptive

2

: lacking legal qualification or power (as by reason of mental incompetence) : disqualified

incapability

(ˌ)in-ˌkā-pə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

incapableness

(ˌ)in-ˈkā-pə-bəl-nəs 

noun

incapably

(ˌ)in-ˈkā-pə-blē 

adverb

Synonyms

• unfit
• incompetent
• unfitted
• unable

Examples of incapable in a Sentence

hired a supremely incapable assistant who only made a mess of things

Recent Examples on the Web

Howard also shared his thoughts about the Longhorns' roster as a whole, saying the team was incapable of outlasting a team of Ohio State's caliber on the road. —Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2025

Those who qualify are parents of a dependent under the age of 13, a spouse or dependent of any age who is incapable of self-care and who lives with you for more than half of the year, the Internal Revenue Service says. —David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 5 Sep. 2025

If students are now incapable of writing 500 words of their own thoughts, that’s just progress! —Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 3 Sep. 2025

Obviously, people online were incapable of being normal about this. —Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 26 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle French, from in- + capable capable

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for incapable

• capable
• inescapable

Kids Definition

incapable

adjective

in·​ca·​pa·​ble (ˈ)in-ˈkā-pə-bəl 

: not able to do something

incapable of cleaning her room thoroughly

incapability

(ˌ)in-ˌkā-pə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun

Legal Definition

incapable

adjective

in·​ca·​pa·​ble

: lacking legal qualification or power (as by reason of mental incompetence) see also incapacity