[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/incapable/)

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# incapable

adjective (incapable)

«incapable» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. If you are incapable of doing something, you cannot do it, because you do not have the ability or power. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/incapable/#m1)
2. (formal) Incapable can mean not able to look after yourself, for example because of illness or being very drunk. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/incapable/#m2)

### In the lessons

In stories it is often used for character: «incapable of lying» means always honest. In everyday talk it can describe someone useless at something, which may sound rude. Phrases: incapable of, completely incapable.

### Examples

- My grandmother is incapable of being unkind. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/incapable/#x1)
- The baby is incapable of walking yet. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/incapable/#x2)
- Penguins are incapable of flying. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/incapable/#x3)
- He seemed incapable of sitting still. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/incapable/#x4)
- The old car was incapable of going up the steep hill. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/incapable/#x5)
- Without his glasses, he was incapable of reading the sign. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/incapable/#x6)
- She's incapable of telling a lie. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/incapable/#x7)
- He gave his hat to Liza, who took it scornfully; for she had no imagination, and was quite incapable of understanding the motives of such a man. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/incapable/#x8)

### Note

Always followed by «of» + noun or -ing: incapable of flying (not «incapable to fly»). Opposite: capable. Calling someone «incapable» about their job can be insulting.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «incapable» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/incapable/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«incapable» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/incapable.html) on Mova free.