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in·ca·pa·ble
 incapable
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- pronunciation:
- In
keI
p
bl
- features:
- Word Parts
| part of speech: |
adjective |
| definition 1: |
not having the ability or power that is needed; not able.
With an injured foot, he is incapable of climbing the mountain.I am incapable of doing five things at once.- synonyms:
- unable
- antonyms:
- able, capable
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| definition 2: |
without skill; poor.
He is a completely incapable actor.- antonyms:
- capable, competent
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| related words: |
inadequate, poor, weak |
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| derivations: |
incapably (adv.), incapability (n.) |
The word incapable
contains the following parts:
in-2
Latin
prefix
that means not, without
  More about this word part:
The prefix in-2 occurs in Latin loanwords and attaches to Latinate bases. The bases of most words prefixed with in-2 are independent
adjectives (inadvertent, incognizant), although the base adjective may no longer be in widespread use (as with incessant
). Exceptions include iniquitous and indignant
. -in 2 has multiple forms, as the 'n' sound in in-2 assimilates to the initial sound of the base to which it is attached. See the assimilated forms ig-, il-2, im-2, and ir-2.
Example words:
inaccurate, inappropriate, inaudible, incapable, incessant, incompetent, incomplete, incomprehensible, inconceivable, inconclusive, inconsiderate, inconspicuous, inconvenient, incorrect, incredible, incredulous, incurable, indefinite, independence, independent, indignant, indirect, individual, indivisible, inedible, inefficient, inequality, inert, inevitable, inexpensive, infinite, informal, infrequent, injure, injury, insane, insolent, insomnia, invaluable, invincible, invisible, irregular
cap1, cip, capt, cept, -ceive, -ceit
Latin
root
that means to take, catch
Example words:
accept, acceptable, acceptance, capability, capable, capacity, captive, capture, conceive, concept, deceive, deception, except, exception, incapable, inconceivable, intercept, participant, participate, perceive, receive, reception
-able, -ible, -ble
Latin
adjective-forming suffix
that means capable of being, doing, or undergoing
More about this word part:
The suffix -able
, and its variants, is attached to Latin verb roots or English transitive verbs to form adjectives. (In a small set of cases, -able
is attached to a noun, e.g. knowledgeable and marriageable.) For spelling purposes, it is useful to know that -able
is more likely to be added to a whole English word (comparable, adorable
), while -ible
is more likely to follow a bound root (visible
, legible
). However,there are still many words which combine a root with -able
(capable
, inevitable
). The suffix -ity can be added to any adjective ending in -able
, -ible
, -ble
to produce a corresponding noun ending in -ability, -ibility, -bility (possible
+ -ity > possibility; irrevocable + -ity > irrevocability.)
Example words:
acceptable, accessible, adorable, amiable, audible, biodegradable, capable, convertible, dependable, disagreeable, disposable, divisible, eligible, flammable, flexible, illegible, impossible, inaudible, incapable, incomprehensible, inconceivable, incredible, incurable, indivisible, inevitable, invaluable, invincible, invisible, irreversible, legible, likable, lovable, movable, notable, perishable, portable, possible, sensible, usable, visible, washable, affordable, reliable, remarkable, approachable, durable, sustainable
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