Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Lacking the necessary ability, quality, or power to do or achieve something: Describes a person or thing that does not have the required capacity, skill, or competence.
   • Not having the temperament, inclination, or nature for something: Describes an inherent or characteristic inability to perform a specific action, often for moral or psychological reasons.
   • Not admitting of or being susceptible to something: Describes a situation, condition, or problem that cannot be changed, solved, or affected.

Usage

The adjective "incapable" is most commonly followed by the preposition "of" to specify what the subject lacks the ability for. It can describe people, things, or abstract concepts. It often carries a stronger, more permanent, or more inherent connotation than simply "unable."

Examples

• Describing lack of ability:
  • He was deemed incapable of managing the complex project.
  • The old software is incapable of running the new application.
• Describing lack of temperament/inclination:
  • She is incapable of deliberate cruelty.
  • He is incapable of telling a lie.
• Describing an unsolvable condition:
  • The dispute seemed incapable of resolution.
  • A problem incapable of a simple solution.

Advanced Usage

• "Drunk and incapable": A legal or formal phrase describing a person who is so intoxicated that they are unable to function or be responsible for their actions.
  • The man was found drunk and incapable on a public bench.
• Used absolutely (without "of"): Less common, but can describe a person's general state of incompetence.
  • The scandal revealed the minister to be utterly incapable.

Variants and Related Words

• Incapability (noun): The state of being incapable.
  • His incapability for the job was evident to everyone.
• Incapably (adverb): In an incapable manner.
  • The role was performed incapably by the understudy.

Synonyms

• Incompetent: Lacking the necessary skills or abilities.
• Unfit: Not of the necessary quality or character.
• Powerless: Lacking power or ability.
• Unable: Not having the skill, means, or opportunity to do something (often less permanent than "incapable").

Antonyms

• Capable: Having the ability, fitness, or quality necessary to do or achieve a specified thing.
• Competent: Having the necessary ability, knowledge, or skill to do something successfully.
• Able: Having the power, skill, means, or opportunity to do something.

Related Phrases

• Incapable of + Gerund (verb-ing): The standard structure to specify the action one cannot perform.
  • The machine is incapable of processing that much data.
• Render someone incapable: To make someone unable to function or act.
  • The injury rendered him incapable of continuing the match.

Adjective

1. not meeting requirements
   • unequal to the demands put upon him
2. (followed by `of') not having the temperament or inclination for
   • simply incapable of lying
3. not being susceptible to or admitting of something (usually followed by `of')
   • incapable of solution
4. (followed by `of') lacking capacity or ability
   • incapable of carrying a tune
   • he is incapable of understanding the matter
   • incapable of doing the work