inability

Meaning

1. (countable, uncountable) Lack of the ability to do something; incapability.
2. (countable, uncountable) Lack of the option to do something; powerlessness.

Synonyms

incapacity

incapability

incompetence

disability

ineptitude

unfitness

incapableness

impossibility

inefficiency

impotence

lack of skill

impotency

weakness

helplessness

disablement

shiftlessness

failure

powerlessness

infirmity

unworthiness

weak

weakliness

worthless

debility

restrictive weakness

delicacy

disqualification

dullness

feebleness

flabbiness

foible

frailness

frailty

handicap

imbecility

inaptitude

ineptness

invalidity

languor

limitation

powerless

puniness

shortcoming

Translations

incapacité

Unfähigkeit

incapacidad

incapacità

incapacidade

αδυναμία

ανικανότητα

incapacitat

onvermogen

عجز

impuissance

Unvermögen

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˌɪnəˈbɪlɪti/

Etymology

Cognate with Middle French: inhabilité

In summary

From earlier inhability (“disqualification for office”), equivalent to in- + ability. Compare Middle French inhabilité, Medieval Latin inhabilitās.