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

incapable of understanding the task

b

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

incapable of telling a lie

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 of incapable

• 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

Porter swears by this lift-up storage bed for ample space that his curious cat is incapable of getting into. —Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 28 Nov. 2025

Award-winning filmmakers return home to find a system incapable of supporting them. —Caio Delcolli, IndieWire, 26 Nov. 2025

Lewis initially considered Sony Venice and Arri Alexa Mini cameras but found those setups either technically incapable of lasting an hour or too cumbersome. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 24 Nov. 2025

Characters can evolve — or be incapable of evolving — and there are consequences for that. —Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 17 Nov. 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