inability

inability
[[t]ɪ̱nəbɪ̱lɪti[/t]]
N-UNCOUNT: usu N to-inf, usu with poss
If you refer to someone's inability to do something, you are referring to the fact that they are unable to do it.

Her inability to concentrate could cause an accident.

...the government's inability to provide basic services.

Ant:

English dictionary. 2008.

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  • inability — I noun disability, disablement, disqualification, failure, helplessness, impotence, impuissance, inadequacy, incapability, incapacitation, incapacity, incompetence, incompetency, ineffectualness, inefficacy, inefficiency, ineptitude, ineptness,… …   Law dictionary

  • inability — inability, disability are sometimes confused because of their verbal likeness. Although both denote a lack of ability to perform a given act or to follow a given trade or profession, they are otherwise clearly distinguished. Inability implies… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • Inability — In a*bil i*ty, n. [Pref. in not + ability: cf. F. inhabilet[ e]. See {Able}, and cf. {Unable}.] The quality or state of being unable; lack of ability; lack of sufficient power, strength, resources, or capacity. [1913 Webster] It is not from an… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • inability — (n.) mid 15c., inhabilite, disqualification for office, from IN (Cf. in ) (1) + ABILITY (Cf. ability). Earlier was unability incapability; incompetence (late 14c.). General sense by c.1500 …   Etymology dictionary

  • inability — [n] disabling lack of talent, skill disqualification, failure, frailty, impotence, inadequacy, inaptitude, incapability, incapacitation, incapacity, incompetence, ineffectiveness, ineffectualness, inefficacy, inefficiency, ineptitude, ineptness,… …   New thesaurus

  • inability — ► NOUN ▪ the state of being unable to do something …   English terms dictionary

  • inability — [in΄ə bil′i tē] n. [ME inabilite: see IN 2 & ABILITY] the quality or state of being unable; lack of ability, capacity, means, or power …   English World dictionary

  • inability — noun ADJECTIVE ▪ apparent, seeming ▪ complete, total ▪ chronic ▪ the government s chronic inability to face facts ▪ …   Collocations dictionary

  • inability — n. inability to + inf. (her inability to pay caused trouble) * * * [ˌɪnə bɪlɪtɪ] inability to + inf. (her inability to pay caused trouble) …   Combinatory dictionary

  • inability — in|a|bil|i|ty [ˌınəˈbılıti] n [singular, U] the fact of being unable to do something inability to do sth ▪ Alcoholism can result in an inability to cope. ▪ the government s inability to enforce the ceasefire …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • inability — in|a|bil|i|ty [ ,ınə bıləti ] noun uncount * inability to do something the fact of not being able to do something: He was frustrated by his inability to control the ball. the stomach s inability to cope with certain foods …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

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