incapableness

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

in•ca•pa•ble /ɪnˈkeɪpəbəl/   adj. 

1. not having the necessary ability, qualification, or strength to perform some function:
   [be + ~ + of] incapable of doing such a difficult thing.
2. lacking ordinary capability; incompetent:
   incapable management.

in•ca•pa•bil•i•ty /ɪnˌkeɪpəˈbɪlɪti/  n. [uncountable]
in•ca•pa•bly, adv. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

in•ca•pa•ble  (in kā′pə bəl), adj. 

1. not capable.
2. not having the necessary ability, qualification, or strength to perform some specified act or function:
   As an administrator, he is simply incapable.
3. without ordinary capability;
   incompetent.
4. Idioms incapable of:
   • not having the ability, qualification, or strength for (a specified act or function).
   • not open to;
     not susceptible to or admitting:
     These materials are incapable of exact measurement.
   • Law legally unqualified for.

n. 

5. a thoroughly incompetent person, esp. one of defective mentality.

• Late Latin incapābilis. See in-³, capable
• 1585–95

in•ca′pa•bil′i•ty, in•ca′pa•ble•ness, n. 
in•ca′pa•bly, adv. 
Synonyms

• 1. Incapable, incompetent, inefficient, unable are applied to a person or thing that is lacking in ability, preparation, or power for whatever is to be done.
  Incapable usually means inherently lacking in ability or power:
  incapable of appreciating music; a bridge incapable of carrying heavy loads.
  Incompetent, generally used only of persons, means unfit or unqualified for a particular task:
  incompetent as an administrator.
  Inefficient means wasteful in the use of effort or power:
  an inefficient manager; inefficient methods.
  Unable usually refers to a temporary condition of inability to do some specific thing:
  unable to relax, to go to a concert.
• 2. impotent, unqualified.

Antonyms

• 1. able.