Unable Meaning

UK /ʌˈneɪbl/
US /ʌˈneɪbl/
Word Definition
unable meaning

Unable Definition & Usage

adjective

Not having the ability, means, or opportunity to do something.

Examples

  • "She was unable to attend the meeting due to a family emergency."
  • "After hours of trying, I was still unable to solve the problem."
  • "The team was unable to secure a win despite their best efforts."
  • "Due to technical difficulties, the system was unable to process the request."
  • "He felt unable to continue the conversation after the awkward silence."
adjective

Unable to handle or cope with an emotional or psychological challenge.

Examples

  • "She felt unable to express her feelings after the breakup."
  • "John was unable to cope with the pressure of the job."
  • "After the accident, he was unable to move past the trauma."
  • "The news left her feeling unable to breathe for a few seconds."
  • "He was unable to process the grief he felt after losing his pet."

Cultural Context

The word 'unable' has been part of the English language since the Middle Ages, derived from Latin. It is frequently used in both everyday situations and more formal contexts, especially in legal or technical language.

The Breaking Point

Story

The Breaking Point

As the day wore on, Emily sat at her desk, staring at the broken printer in front of her. She had tried everything she could think of, but no matter how many times she pressed the reset button, it refused to work. Frustration bubbled up inside her as she thought about the looming deadline and how her inability to print the reports was jeopardizing the entire project. Meanwhile, across town, Tom was having his own crisis. The pressure of the upcoming presentation was wearing on him. He had spent hours preparing, but every time he rehearsed, his mind blanked. He felt as though he was unable to convey his ideas clearly, and each misstep only made his anxiety worse. As the clock ticked closer to the end of the day, both Emily and Tom realized they were facing situations where they were truly 'unable' to achieve what they wanted. Emily, in particular, was unable to find any more solutions to her printer problem, and Tom found himself unable to push past his self-doubt. In a last-ditch effort, Emily decided to take a walk outside. The fresh air helped clear her head, and when she returned, she was able to find a quick fix to the printer problem. Meanwhile, Tom took a deep breath and admitted to his team that he was struggling. Their support helped him regain his confidence, and the presentation was a success. Both learned that being 'unable' at times wasn’t a permanent state—it was merely a temporary challenge, one that could be overcome with the right mindset and support.

The Breaking Point