Incapable
/ɪnˈkeɪpəbəl/
Definitions
Lacking the ability, power, or means to do something.
/ɪnˈkeɪpəbəl/
Lacking the ability or power to do something.
She is incapable of telling a lie.
💡 Simply: Imagine you try to lift a giant box. If it's too heavy, you're incapable of lifting it! It means you can't do it, even if you try.
👶 For kids: If you can't do something, like tie your shoes without help, you're incapable of tying your shoes.
More Examples
The old car was incapable of climbing the steep hill.
The new software is incapable of running on older operating systems.
How It's Used
"He is incapable of violence."
"The defendant was found to be legally incapable of making a sound decision."
"The patient was incapable of walking without assistance."
Idioms & expressions
incapable of
Lacking the ability to do something.
"She is incapable of telling a lie."
From Latin *incapabilis*, from *in-* (not) + *capax* (able to hold, capacious).
Used since the 16th century, evolving from its Latin roots.
Memory tip
Imagine a cap - if you can't get *in* the cap, you're *in*capable of fitting.
Word Origin
"not able to hold"