| a. | 1. | Not able; not having sufficient strength, means, knowledge, skill, or the like; impotent; weak; helpless; incapable; - now usually followed by an infinitive or an adverbial phrase; |
| Adj. | 1. | unable - (usually followed by `to') not having the necessary means or skill or know-how; "unable to get to town without a car"; "unable to obtain funds" Synonyms: not able Antonyms: able - (usually followed by `to') having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something; "able to swim"; "she was able to program her computer"; "we were at last able to buy a car"; "able to get a grant for the project" |
| 2. | unable - (usually followed by `to') lacking necessary physical or mental ability; "dyslexics are unable to learn to read adequately"; "the sun was unable to melt enough snow" | |
| 3. | unable - lacking in power or forcefulness; "an ineffectual ruler"; "like an unable phoenix in hot ashes" Synonyms: ineffective, ineffectual |