inability
Lack of the ability to do somethingLack of the ability to do something; incapability.
» Tom was frustrated by his inability to help.
Meaning
2 senses(countable, uncountable)Lack of the ability to do something; incapability.
Unfähigkeit, Unvermögen
неспосо́бностьnesposóbnostʹ, невозмо́жностьnevozmóžnostʹ, неуме́ниеneuménije
незда́тністьnezdátnistʹ, неспромо́жністьnespromóžnistʹ, невмі́нняnevmínnja
lack of ability (especially mental ability) to do something
(countable, uncountable)Lack of the option to do something; powerlessness.
неможли́вістьnemožlývistʹ
Examples
27 sentencesTom was frustrated by his inability to help.
I was surprised at her inability to do things promptly.
When we hear of a divorce we assume it was caused by the inability of those two people to agree upon fundamentals.
Excessive choice results in the inability to choose.
deZu viel Auswahl führt zu Auswahlunfähigkeit.
Illiteracy is the inability to read and write.
Translations
7 languagesBy meaning 2
By meaning 1
By meaning 1
Origin
From earlier inhability (“disqualification for office”), equivalent to in- + ability. CompFrom earlier inhability (“disqualification for office”), equivalent to in- + ability. Compare Middle French inhabilité, Medieval Latin inhabilitās.
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Forms
plural: inabilities| Singular | inability |
|---|---|
| Plural | inabilities |
regular
Synonyms
2 synonymsAntonyms
1 antonymsLessons for this word
1 lessons- A1Countable and uncountable nouns — Because it can be uncountable