# unable

> English word · Adjective · IPA /ʌnˈeɪbl̩/ · frequency rank #2,469

## Definitions
1. Not able; lacking a certain ability.

## Etymology
From Middle English unable, unabel, unhable, unhabil, equivalent to un- + able.

## Easily confused with
- **uncle** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/unable-vs-uncle)
- **usable** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/unable-vs-usable)
- **unstable** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/unable-vs-unstable)
- **unusable** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/unable-vs-unusable)

## Common misspellings (9)
`nuable`, `uanble`, `unabble`, `unabel`, `unablle`, `unalbe`, `unbale`, `unible`, `unnable`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/unable