inability

inability — noun

1. the condition of not having the skill, strength, or opportunity needed to do som

1.nounB2
Definition

the condition of not having the skill, strength, or opportunity needed to do something

Example

Adina's inability to swim kept her away from the beach trips with her classmates.

noun + to-infinitive pattern

Pedro felt frustrated by his inability to fix the leaky kitchen tap.

collocation: inability to [do something]

Common collocations
  • inability to do something
  • inability to cope
  • inability to function
  • inability to communicate
  • frustrated by an inability
  • chronic inability
  • complete inability
  • frustration at one's inability
Synonyms
  • incapacity

    more formal; often implies a legal or official lack of power

  • incompetence

    stronger negative judgment; suggests a blameworthy lack of skill

  • powerlessness

    focuses on lack of authority or control rather than skill

Antonyms
  • ability

    direct opposite — having the skill or means to do something

  • capability

    similar to ability, emphasises potential or capacity

Grammar Patterns

inability + to-infinitive

Usage Note

A more formal alternative to 'not being able to'. The noun is uncountable and is almost always followed by a to-infinitive ('inability to do something'), not by 'of + -ing'.

Common Mistakes

His inability of finishing the project worried the team.
His inability to finish the project worried the team.
'inability' takes a to-infinitive, not 'of + -ing'.
She has an inability to lie.
She is unable to lie.
'inability' is uncountable and not usually used with 'a/an'.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words describe a lack of ability, but they differ in tone and focus. 'Inability' is the broadest, most neutral term — it simply states that someone cannot do something, without implying fault ('his inability to attend the meeting'). 'Incapacity' is more formal and often legal or medical, suggesting a permanent or official lack of power ('mental incapacity'). 'Incompetence' carries a strong negative judgment, blaming the person for lacking necessary skills ('managerial incompetence'). 'Powerlessness' focuses on external constraints — a lack of authority or control rather than personal skill ('the powerlessness of small farmers against large corporations'). Use 'inability' when you want a factual, non-judgmental description; choose 'incompetence' when you want to assign blame.

inability ↗incapacityincompetencepowerlessness

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • inability to do something
  • inability to cope
  • inability to function
  • inability to communicate

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Combines the prefix 'in-' (meaning 'not', from Latin) with 'ability' (from Latin 'habilitas', meaning 'skill, fitness'). The word entered English through French 'inhabilité' in the 1400s, originally carrying the sense of 'unsuitability' before shifting to its modern meaning of 'lack of power or skill'.