inability

Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word inability. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word inability, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say inability in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word inability you have here. The definition of the word inability will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition ofinability, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.

English

Etymology

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

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˌɪnəˈbɪlɪti/
  • Audio (US):(file)

Noun

inability (countable and uncountable, plural inabilities)

  1. Lack of the ability to do something; incapability.
    • 1720, John Shaw, “Of Religion”, in The Fundamental Doctrines of the Church of England, , volume I, London: George Strahan,  William Mears, , page 36:
      […] tho' theſe ſeem'd to be very unfit Inſtruments for compaſſing of that great Deſign for which they were then employ'd, becauſe of their Inability and Uncapacity in performing the Work ſo very great and important; […]
    • 26 November 2013, Daniel Taylor, “Jack Wilshere scores twice to ease Arsenal to victory over Marseille”, in The Guardian‎:
      The Premier League leaders did what many people thought was beyond them in their last European excursion, at the home of Borussia Dortmund, and they made light work of overcoming Marseille on a night when the one-sidedness was not reflected by their inability to add to Jack Wilshere's two goals.
  2. Lack of the option to do something; powerlessness.

Synonyms

Translations

Wikious
Boobota
Sagapedia