[
UK
/ʌnˈeɪbəl/
]
[ US /əˈneɪbəɫ/ ]
[ US /əˈneɪbəɫ/ ]
ADJECTIVE
-
(usually followed by `to') lacking necessary physical or mental ability
the sun was unable to melt enough snow
dyslexics are unable to learn to read adequately -
lacking in power or forcefulness
an ineffectual ruler
like an unable phoenix in hot ashes -
(usually followed by `to') not having the necessary means or skill or know-how
unable to obtain funds
unable to get to town without a car
How To Use unable In A Sentence
- He wrote and tcanslaited many fortunate connexion « Mr. Boweai other works, and among the rest being unable to pay the costs in-* wa»the author of one play, called curred by the suit in the Spiritual Biographia dramatica, or, A companion to the playhouse:
- He was not at the count as he was unable to take a day off work but delighted supporters phoned to let him know the result.
- It is frequently assumed that elderly persons lose their sexual desires or that they are physically unable to perform.
- The impression of warmth and comfort and beauty predominated, though he was unable to analyze it; while the simplicity delighted him -- expensive simplicity, he decided, and most of it leftovers from the time her father went broke and died. Chapter XVIII
- The victim was unable to give many details about her assailant because the attack was over in seconds.
- I didn't realize Vikki wasn't willing to break her healthy habits and was unable to convince her to share fish 'n chips with me.
- They were unable to pull the 3,000-pound anchor to get separation between the two vessels and thus needed to detach the anchor.
- When the matador realises the bull is weak and unable to charge much longer he will reach for his killing sword and seek to manoeuvre it directly in front of him with its head down, so that he can administer the death stroke.
- They are happening in a system that's constantly working to full capacity, massively understaffed and unable to cope with the impact of cuts to social care. Times, Sunday Times
- Despite having all the appropriate authorisations in their possession, they were unable to produce the program for which they had travelled to the country.